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With an understanding of aerodynamic forces, learners will be ready to explore the balloon
aerodynamics challenge. Teams will work through the eight steps of the design process to build a
prototype. For this balloon challenge, learners will modify a helium-filled balloon to make
it neutrally buoyant, either inside like a classroom, or in a safe outdoor environment.
For this engineering experiment, learners will need the following materials: one helium balloon,
beads, grains of rice, paper clips, or objects of similar mass to weigh down the balloon.
Paper cups, three yards of thin string, yarn and optional materials include scissors,
tape and a pencil for punching holes, as well as a meter stick to measure distance.
To begin the design process, teams will first begin by exploring designs for
the systems holding the mass underneath the balloon. Draw as many ideas as you
can to hold the cup upright and balance the balloons payload to create neutral buoyancy.
By now, learners should begin to model and build their prototype with the helium balloon.
They should be asking lots of questions during this phase, such as how many beats should go
into the paper cups, or how are they going to tie the paper cups to their prototypes,
and how are they going to put all of these pieces together?
Once you have a plan, it's time for testing the model. Learners should evaluate their
prototypes and see how the balloon holds up during testing. Note any problems that occur.
Does the balloon fall straight to the ground? To counter this, learners will have to take out some
of the beads or reconstruct their cup structures. Does the balloon float away because there's not
enough beads? Sometimes adding additional weight or other objects will help balance your buoyancy.
This process of prototyping is called refining the design, working as a team to come up with new
ideas and retest one's design. Ask others to share their solutions and designs, verifying that their
balloons are neutrally buoyant. What strategies did they implore through the engineering design
process? Learners of all ages are working collaboratively to construct prototypes and
learn about the aerodynamic forces that are vital to understanding how objects move through the air.
Thanks for watching
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