Hot Air Balloons

This unit provides instruction on concepts of buoyancy, kinetic energy of particles, and the periodic table to help students build hot air balloons.  It may be combined with “Particle Party Balloons” as well as a variety of extension activities and assessments.  See Buoyancy Progress Guides in assessment materials for a map of anticipated student progression (with buoyancy concepts explored to a greater degree than kinetic energy).

Grade Level: 6/7-9

Prep Time: 30-60 minutes

Lesson Time: 150-200 minutes

This lesson was produced under the Berkeley ADEPT Program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation


Standalone Lesson Plan (.doc)
Combined Lesson Plan (with Particle Party Balloons) (.doc)

Assessment Materials:
Pre-Test
Mid-Summative Quiz
Post-Test
Scoring Guide
Progress Guide

Building Instructions and Materials:
Hot Air Balloon Building Instructions
Hot Air Balloon Template

Student Worksheets:
Introductory Reading
Balloon Engineering

References:
References