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Jenison Public Schools - ACT Program
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The Hot Air Balloon Project!

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Pre-Build Activities

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Task 1: Properties

As a group, look through the shapes at this link to learn about their properties (a.k.a. the number of faces, edges, or vertices (singular: vertex). Identify the shapes in your work packet. Be sure to know the definitions of the following vocabulary words:

A face is a flat side of the solid.

An edge is where two faces of a solid meet.

A vertex is where three or more faces meet.  



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Task 2: Relational Solids
At this station, use the relational solids to fill up the 3-D shapes with water.  Pour the water into separate beakers for each shape and compare the amount of water each solid can hold.  What does this tell you about the volume of each shape?  How could this information be useful if you were to make a balloon based on that shape?  Do you think shape plays an important role in balloon design?

Task 3: Pre-Build Questions
Answer the Pre-Build Questions as a group.  Do this on your packet -- each member should discuss and record the answers. 
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Task 4: A Little Research & Design
You will need to research what makes a good hot air balloon!  These links will also provide you with some useful information regarding techniques that help to make your balloon!  Check out the links at the right.  Make sure you think about what shape you think will work the best. 

You will draw a small-scale version of your template shape.  Once decided upon, Mrs. Clark and/or another parent sponsor will help you to make or will be able to provide you with a template to help make your balloon.  However, you should be able to explain how your template will be glued together to form your balloon shape.  

Engineers should draw out the template and final assembled 3-D shape on the design page.  This should be turned in to Mrs. Clark so preparations can be made to create the gores/templates for your build!
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Oakland Discovery Center
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Hot Air Balloon Construction


Junior Balloonist

Template Ideas

Tear-Drop Template

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