Paper Takes Flight at the Balloon Museum

On Thursday, November 18 a big group of excited children—more than 527 to be exact—arrived at the Balloon Museum at 9 AM ready to join in the event that celebrates the anniversary of the very first manned hot-air balloon flight that took place in France on November 21, 1783 in a balloon built by the Montgolfier brothers.
Each year the Balloon Museum hosts an event sponsored by Balloon Explorium, Inc., a non-profit whose mission it is to explore the wonders of ballooning through hands-on learning for children of all ages, and to promote Albuquerque as the world capital of ballooning though year-round school education programs.
The children make tissue paper balloons in class as part of their science and history lessons. Balloon Explorium, Inc. brings teachers to the Museum to learn how to lead their students in creating tissue paper balloons. Balloon Explorium provides a lesson plan that includes some of the science and history of ballooning and what the students will see in the museum, as well as all materials needed to make the balloons.

With assistance from the Balloon Museum Foundation, Balloon Explorium also covers the entrance fees to the Balloon Museum and bus transportation. The Museum hosts the event and volunteers provide guided tours inside for half the students while the other half flies their tissue paper balloon outside.

Balloon Explorium, Inc. volunteer Joel Johnstone says, "This year may be our biggest year ever. To understand the scope of this fun annual ballooning learning experience, here's a list of who will participate and the materials used."

9 Schools...22 Classes...more than 527 children...134 Balloons...2,412 Sheets of Tissue Paper...268 Glue Sticks...1,206 Feet of Drywall Tape...67 Feet of String

This year, in conjunction with the Balloon Museum's new exhibition, Cluster Balloons: From Lawn Chairs to Cosmic Rays, the Museum, with assistance from some students, will attempt to photograph the tissue paper balloons from the top of the Museum using cluster balloons equipped with aerial photography equipment.

"Combining learning with an incredibly fun event is a great way to encourage children to explore science and history," said Balloon Museum Director Jeff Cooper-Smith."Having 527 children here creating and learning fills the museum with such great energy, and we all gain from the experience."

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Balloon Museum
• Balloon Explorium
• Paper Takes Flight
• Montgolfier Day
• Tissue Paper Balloons
• Hot Air Balloons