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January 8, 2016
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Flying High
ON THE INSIDE
Lakeland students learn about ballooning
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by Christopher Cornell ADVANTAGE EDITOR
Even though they didn’t go for a ride, it was definitely an uplifting experience. Lakeland’s seventh-grade library science class recently researched hot air balloons, and then had a chance to get up close to the real thing. “The library science curriculum involves being able to research a topic using resources from the library and write a short paper,” said technology education teacher Anthony Saxton. “I try to choose topics for their research that will help students gain new knowledge, make a connection and have some fun.” Students researched hot-air balloons and the physics of balloon flight, and then constructed their own out of tissue paper. The project was part of the school’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum. “The project was a collaboration between myself, William Freeman — another technology education teacher — the school librarian Linda Stephens and another teacher, Dawn Chase,” Saxton said. “The tissue paper balloon project is something I did years ago with my eighth-grade technology education classes at Lakeland. Mr. Freeman remembered this when Mrs. Stephens was looking for a research/project idea.” And, of course it didn’t hurt that Saxton owns Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons Inc. and is a certified balloon pilot. Chase is also a certified balloon pilot. “Dawn Chase and I decided it would be nice to include a real balloon demonstration as a reward for the students.” Saxton said the tissue paper balloons the students made “work just like a real hot air
From left: students Maria Merrigan, Mariah Loughney, Lindsay Jones and Liberty Stefalo help manage the balloon.
balloon, but at a small scale. A propane torch is used for the heat source. Once hot enough the balloon launches, flies a short distance and lands. The kids have a great time running after them.” Before the kids’ creations were tried out, the class had a chance to see the real thing up close. “I explained the science behind ballooning and hot air rising,” he said. “I also explained to them how balloons are made and the materials they’re made from. The students were allowed to help deflate and pack up the balloon.”
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Following the demonstration, the students returned to the library and Chase led them in a discussion about the history of ballooning. The kids had hoped to actually go up in the balloon, and Saxton said “it was a perfect day for flying,” but time and staffing constraints prevented that. Saxton’s Endless Mountains Hot Air Balloons is located in Nicholson Township and offers hot-air balloon adventures. “We have been flying balloons for approximately 15 years,” Saxton said. “Late spring through mid fall is our busiest flying time, but we fly all year long.”
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