By: Nate Miller Micah Nichols Kristine Rundorff

Dry Cleaning Bags Cotton Balls Petroleum Jelly Straws Scotch Tape

The first thing we did was horizontally tape 3 dry cleaning bags together using the scotch tape. Note: We made sure the joints were sealed by blowing the bag up and squeezing it.

The next step was to cut the bottom dry cleaning bag so we could fill the balloon with hot air. We simply used a pair of scissors to accomplish this task.

After we cut the bottom dry cleaning bag we then reinforced the seams of the balloon. This time we put tape vertically across the seams to keep the dry cleaning bags from coming apart.

Now that the balloon was sturdy we blew it up. By doing this we realized that the balloon was much too slim. We needed to come up with a plan to make it wider so it would hold more hot air.

Our plan to make the balloon wider was to cut one side of the balloon (all 3 dry cleaning bags), then attach another 3 dry cleaning bags.

Once both the balloon and dry cleaning bags were cut we had to tape everything together. We taped them horizontally the whole way around the balloon. Then once again taped vertically for reinforcement.

After these modifications the balloon was now 6 bags high by 2 bags wide. The balloon could now hold much more hot air.

The next step was to check the balloon for leaks. As a result of the balloon being very large, it was nearly impossible to blow it up by hand. So we solved the problem by using the air conditioner in the classroom.

Like we expected the balloon had a few leaks. We inspected the whole balloon and patched all the leaks with tape.

While the balloon was blown up we realized it was the perfect time to get the measurements of the balloon.

Using a 3 foot string we got the measurements of the balloon. The balloon measured 6 and a half feet wide and 8 feet tall.

Once the balloon was all patched and air tight we moved on to making the frame/ base. We planned on making the frame out of bendy straws, because they are both light and rigid.

Once we acquired the bendy straws we began to plan the best way to make the frame. We tried different variations and sizes.

We finally found the best way to make the frame. We used about 4 straws to make a simple square. The opening was large enough to let a lot of hot air in, yet small enough to keep it from escaping rapidly.

Now that the frame was assembled we could attach it to the balloon. We centered the frame in the center of the bottom opening of the balloon.

After the frame was in the center we wrapped the bottom of the balloon around the frame. We fastened the frame to the balloon using scotch tape.

At last it was time to launch the balloons! The launch device ( shown to the right) was fueled by a propane tank. This provides the heat to fill the balloons with hot air.

At last the balloon was complete and ready to be launched! It was time to see if the balloon would really perform.

We held the hot air balloon over the heat until it was full of hot air. Once we thought it was ready we let the balloon go. The balloon lifted into the air and floated for a few moments. The tether string got stuck in the grass and brought the balloon back down fairly quick. Although the launch wasn’t spectacular we were happy with the outcome.

Our other idea for a fuel source was to use a cotton ball soaked with Vaseline. We would run two straws across the frame of the balloon. We would then glue a Vaseline covered cotton ball on it. Then when we wanted to launch the balloon we would ignite the cotton ball and this would slowly fill the balloon with hot air and continue to fill it with hot air when it was in the air.