It is more than just blowing hot air. Pupils first build a hot air balloon out of tissue paper by cutting enough panels of tissue paper to form a balloon shape and glue the panels together. Using a hot air gun, individuals then inflate the balloons and let them sail into the sky.

Concepts

density, air, air temperature, hot air balloons, thermal energy, convection, convection currents

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Construct the balloon over a couple of days, giving the glue time to dry
• Provide a lesson on densities of air at different temperatures

Classroom Considerations

• Use of a hot air gun may cause burns or catch the tissue paper on fire if the nozzle contacts the skin or the paper

Pros

• Provides background information on why hot air balloons work
• Includes a template to use for making the balloon

Cons

• None