Giant DIY SOLAR AIRSHIP Takes Off. School Project.

When I first started teaching in Thailand I realized the things we could teach in class were slightly more flexible than perhaps some other countries.

I began teaching a Grade 4 class and had 5 science/Topic lessons a week. We had just finish a unit on weather and weather balloons. Next up was a new unit on convection, conduction and radiation.

An experiment to build our own balloon proving the effects of how air can be heated and rise interested the whole class. We had a vision of the final outcome but took time in clearing it through the school office. Our plan was big and we wanted to make sure it was done in the right way. The principal, school owner and members of the board listened to our proposal- presented by the children.
For 3 weeks we heard nothing back, and then we got the all clear. Someone, somehow who had a 'connection' with someone in the local Gov. or Municipality had approved our request...

To launch and set free our SOLAR AIRSHIP.

We later decided that we would not set it free- obvious safety reasons but it was good to know we were still approved in case it 'got' free.

It was time to build. Bin bags and cellotape were our only materials.

We had basically planned to build a giant cube. The school hall was big enough to lay it out flat and tape together the huge 'cross' shape.

Once that had been done, the edges were taped up leaving one small exit/entrance so that we could inflate it using a floor fan outside.

Any rips or tears in the plastic were taped up. Although the skin looks like there are holes in it- it had all been sealed and is 'mostly' air tight. From inside it was like something from outer space or some science museum.

With clearing and approval in mind, it also reassured us that airports and flight paths were nowhere near. Wind direction was also considered and on 2 occasions we had to cancel the launch- Only being allowed to take off with winds travelling towards the countryside and away from populated areas just in case our back-up plan failed.

Take off was a complete success. Our experiment worked and the children were ecstatic.

Now that the balloon had taken off and had started to float up, it was time for our BACK UP PLAN.

A seam/slit in the balloon side had been cut and sealed with tape. The length of tape that held this huge slit together had an extra strong line of nylon (fishing line) tape to the length of it. The other end was tethered to the grown.

At the predetermined maximum height, the line would pull tight and start to peal open the slit. The hot would escape leaving the giant balloon to gentle fall to the ground.

SOLAR AIRSHIPS are available online for those of you who live in suitable areas for a home launch- kids love it and its great fun.

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