Today: 

1. Choose 1 or 2 partners for this project. [Groups with 3 students must take pictures and create brief captions to create Google Slides showing the following: Tracing the design, cutting and sealing the plastic, measuring volume, measuring mass, making the fuel platform, adding the fuel, and flying the balloon (and measuring lift)].

2. Choose a balloon design.  This can be your design, someone else's.    Here's a link to the spreadsheet for estimating density.

3. Upload the file that you have chosen to your Google Drive.  Set your shared settings to "anyone with a link."  Fill out this Hot Air Balloon Project form and paste a link to your file into the form.

4. Get your plastic sheet, and prepare to trace your design.  I plan to trace designs in the order in which Google Forms were correctly completed.

4.5.  NEW STEP: Trace your design.  Then take your plastic into the hallway.  Lay it out and number the matching edges -- use the same number for each of the two matching edges..  Write the numbers on the inside of the design.  Cut around the outside of the design, leaving around 3 inches of extra material.

5. Use the shrinkwrap sealer to cut and trim your design.  Match up the edges with same numbers. 

6. Make sure that your balloon's hole is at least 8" across.

7. Use bamboo skewers to hold your balloon open and to provide a perch for your fuel platform.

8. Create a fuel platform using aluminum flashing.

9. Attach the platform to the skewers. Use nails to poke small holes, and then use wire to connect the platform to the skewers.

10. Use wire to create a loop below the fuel platform.  This is for attaching the string and weight.

11. NEW INFORMATION: Measure your balloon's volume.  Squeeze all of the air from your balloon.  Move the syringe plunger to the zero mark.  Hold your balloon opening securely on the platform so that no air can leak out.  Slowly push the plunger until the balloon is full.  If one push doesn't fill up your balloon, close your balloon,  remove and reset the plunger, replace your balloon, and take another plunge.  Do not fill until your balloon is super tight!  If you make it tight, some air will probably leak.

12. Measure your balloon's empty mass. Measure it in a tray, and make sure that you subtract the mass of the tray.

Monday (probably)

1. Use the classroom thermometer, the current weather conditions, and this online air density calculator to determine the current density the air in this room.

2. Add fuel -- no more than 7ml.

3. Fly your balloon and measure the mass it can lift by attaching a string and a weight that sits on an electric balance.

4. Use your data and the current weather conditions, and an online air density calculator to determine the temperature of the hot air in the balloon.