For years I’d heard that you could make a hot air balloon from a garbage bag. When I finally tried it, I found that–as with so much of life–the “devil’s in the details.” Here’s what I learned, in the form of the embedded instructional videos below, with the help of some of my students.
REALLY USEFUL UPDATES: By far the biggest problem with this project is finding bags that are thin enough. Most garbage bags sold through retail are much too thick and heavy. However, some people have sent in some solutions. Steve Mazzanti, a Technology Instructor in Athens, Texas has used bags from the dry cleaners, which I mentioned in the videos. But the bags have a pesky hole at the top where the hanger goes through. I’ve been taping the the top, but Steve welds the plastic together with a clothes iron, first putting paper under and over so it doesn’t stick. That sounds like an easier and better way. He even welds bags together end to end!
Richard Brown, a math/science teacher at Watertown High School in Connecticut, informed me of a widely distributed bag that worked for him. Look for Ruffies 8 gallon Color Scents (they smell like vanilla) at department stores (at least in North America–people from other continents please let us know where you’ve found thin bags). If you Google it you can see what retail outlets sell them near you. At 8.9 microns the bags are half again as thick as the thin bags I use, but Rich got them to fly (you might have to use a fifth candle).
Finally, I knew there must be a better way to attach the candles than the way described in the video. Somebody (I can’t find the e-mail) suggested hot glue, which works well for me. And when I put them all together, in a line, it’s much easier to light the candles.
Part 1, Introduction, covers history of hot air balloons in Asia and France, modern day ballooning, and some basic terms. If YouTube is blocked at your school, try this SchoolTube link Part 1
Part 2, How it Flies, presents some amazing facts that allow hot air balloons to fly, woven into cool videos of people-carrying balloons preparing for take off.SchoolTube Part 2
Part 3, Fuel and Safety, shows why we think volitile fuels are a bad idea (we use candles) and I make the case that hot air balloons, education and kids (with adult supervision) all go together.SchoolTube Part 3
Part 4, What You Need to build a hot air balloon: aluminum foil, plastic drinking straws, birthday candles. And the only tricky part is finding a trash can liner that’s thin enough, but we’ll show you where to look and how very thin plastic is measured SchoolTube Part 4
Part 5, Build and Fly gives the construction details for keeping the botom of the balloon open and holding the candles and we make the case for flying indoors. You do not have to weigh anything, but we do on the video just to stay conscious of keeping it light. SchoolTube Part 5
Part 6, Using Smaller Bags bags is more of a challenge than using larger ones. We’ll show you why and present some tips for making them work. Plus a (green screen) ride in a hot air balloon for the student volunteer presenters. SchoolTube Part 6
I put a lot of work into making these instructional videos. It’s encouraging to me to know that people are putting the information to work and I improve the instructions when people point out when something is not clear ( I answer specific technical questions as best I can, too). Furthermore, hundreds of people have sent me innovations that have made all the projects on http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/ better. So, consider sending me feedback about how the hot air balloon project went for you. Contact
Professor Adolfo Bastida of the University of Murcia in Spain and who also runs a science program for young people sent these pictures. The project was complicated by trying to find the right kind of plastic bag. “You cannot imagine how many different bags we tested. Finally we found it: that right plastic is used by some hair dressers to cover the shoulders of their clients! Last friday we did our ballons following your directions and it was amaizing.”
This external link is to an artist named Joshua Allen Harris who makes surreal inflated creatures from thin plastic bags. I doubt it could be applied to a small hot air balloon (surface area, see Part 6), but the shear brillaince of the art is worth a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6xCT2aTSo&feature=channel_page
Source: http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/HotAirBalloon/index.html

Event planners and facilitators in Manila search for out of town venues in the north. Many companies discover that Clark Philippines is one of best and safest destinations for corporate and personal functions, events and parties in Pampanga.

Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.

The best hotels outside Manila in Pampanga and Subic are listed here including a beach resort which is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

Adding to the charm and attractiveness of the resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now

Or call us at

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 ask for Pedro or Rechel

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit
http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

For assistance with wedding venues, organizing and planning a wedding reception or to find wedding services and consultants, log on to
www.philippinesweddingvenue.com

To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers and gourmands looking for good place to eat, fine dining restaurants and family resto bar may want to log on to www.YatsRestaurant.com

In the Freeport zone of Clark, there is a large wine shop that sells excellent vintage wine called Clark Wine Center which offers over 2700 selections of fine wine ranging from p500 to p500,000 a bottle and up. Log on to www. ClarkWineCenter.com for more information.

Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.