The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons

A 5th Grade STEM Lesson

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S.Thompson-Ruiz

March 2023

Notes for Teachers

• This lesson takes place in the classroom for one or more hours.
• Students will work in small groups with 2 students.
• They will collaboratively come up with a structure and build “together”.
• Design and construct a hot air balloon.

List of Materials

• Tissue Paper (craft paper)
• Glue Sticks
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Masking Tape

Standards

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ELA:

Speaking and Listening Standards:

• Collaborate in discussions through effectively speaking and listening in a variety of settings.
• Report on a topic or text, sequencing ideas logically, using relevant facts and details, and including multimedia components.

Reading:

5.RL.5: Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.

Writing:

5.W.8: Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.

Physical Science:

5.P3U2.5 Define problems and design solutions pertaining to force and motion.

Core Ideas for Using Science:

U1: Scientists explain phenomena using evidence obtained from observations and or scientific investigations. Evidence may lead to developing models and or theories to make sense of phenomena. As new evidence is discovered, models and theories can be revised.

U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

Science & Engineering Practices:

● ask questions and define problems

● develop and use models

● plan and carry out investigations

● analyze and interpret data

● use mathematics and computational thinking

● construct explanations and design solutions

● engage in argument from evidence

● obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

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Objective(s):

• Today we will communicate and collaborate effectively with our peer to talk about the engineering design process and the design of our hot air balloon.
• Today we will design and build a hot air balloon, and test to see if it flies.

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Agenda (60 Minutes)

• What is a hot air balloon?
• Book: Hot Air Ballooning
• Engineering a Hot Air Balloon
• Will my Hot Air Balloon Fly?
• Present and Share

What is a Hot Air Balloon?

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How do you think it works?

What makes it float?

What is it made of?

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Envelope

Envelope

Gores

Panels

Basket

Burners

Hot Air Balloon

A Hot Air Balloon is a very large aircraft filled with heated air, and it can carry passengers. The open flame is made up from liquid which helps keep the balloon afloat.

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Read Aloud

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Each group will construct a hot air balloon.
• Use supplies given within the time frame.
• Students may draw in science notebooks first.

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List of Materials

• Tissue Paper (craft paper)
• Glue Sticks
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Masking Tape
• (Hair dryer to test)

Assessment

ELA Assessment

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Test your Hot Air Balloon.

• Does the Hot Air Balloon fly?
• If yes, for how long?

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• In your science journals, list the steps you took to make your Hot Air Balloon.

Differentiation

One way to differentiate this lesson is to have some hot air balloons with directions and pictures so students can visually see how to make hot air balloons.

A step-by-step process document is a helpful guide to provide students as needed.

Strategically pair students as needed.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students who are successful right away can make modifications to their Hot Air Balloon to make it float longer.