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Air Density & Hot Air Balloons

See how air density is an important part of how hot air balloons fly with Magan and Shaina. Using a balloon, experiment with heating and cooling air to change the density of the air and the state of the balloon.

Warning: The water should be really hot. You may want to use oven mitts during this activity to protect your hands from steam off the hot water.

Learn more about the Kansas Aviation Museum here!

MATERIALS

  • A balloon

  • An empty water bottle

  • Bowl of very hot water

  • Bowl of ice water

  • Towel

Note: If it doesn't work then the water isn't hot enough; it needs to be close to boiling

ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK QUESTIONS

  • What other things are affected by temperature?

Hoop Gliders

Victoria teaches us all about aerodynamics and how wing shape can affect how well an item can fly. She shows us how to make a really cool glider and even some modifications to make the glider fly better. Can you find a way to make your glider go even further than Victoria’s?

Check out Exploration place here!

MATERIALS

  • 1 Sheet of construction paper

  • 1 Drinking straw (recommend paper straws)

  • Tape

  • Scissors

ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK QUESTION

  • How could we improve upon the experiment to make the launching more consistent?

Balancing Butterflies

Pam and Barb learn all about center of gravity! Center of gravity is the point at which you can balance an item. Join Pam and Barb as they teach you how to balance your own butterfly and even how to make them dance on your finger!

Materials

  • Scissors

  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils

  • Tape

  • 2 Pennies, washers, or buttons

  • Cardstock - print out of a butterfly or you can draw your own butterfly (Template found here)

Notes: This activity uses Scissors. Please work with parents to cut out materials.

Engineering Notebook questions

  • Can you show us the center of gravity on your butterfly?

  • Draw a picture with an arrow pointing to the center of gravity on your butterfly.

Whale Blubber

Elena and Angela have a fun time learning all about insulation! Insulation is a layer of material that helps keep warm things warm and cold things cold. Join in the fun by learning how a layer of fat can keep your hand warm in a bowl of ice water!

Materials

  • Plastic Sandwich bag

  • Crisco (or butter)

  • Spatula or spoon to spread the Crisco

  • Bowl of ice water

  • Thermometer (optional)

Note: If it doesn't work you may not have a thick enough layer of Crisco/butter on the bag. You don't want to be able to see your hand through it.

For easy clean up: Flip the plastic baggie right side out so the Crisco will be enclosed in the bag.

Engineering Notebook questions

  • What are some things you can use to insulate yourself to keep yourself warm?

  • What are some other animals that use a layer of fat to protect themselves from the cold?

Paper Roller Coasters

Hannah and Kendra explore gravity, the invisible force that pulls everything down. They have fun changing the direction of an object as it falls due to gravity. And they make a fun roller coaster in the process!

Materials

  • Pieces of paper - preferably card stock or construction paper (Template found here)​

  • Tape

  • Scissors

  • Piece of cardboard (as large as you would like your roller coaster footprint to be)

  • Marble

Note: Having an extra pair of hands is really helpful during this activity. Something that helps is holding the roller coaster in form and repeatedly testing out the coaster before you tape it down. Don't be afraid to mix and match the template pages for your roller coaster. Please work with an adult to cut out materials.

Engineering Notebook question

  • Sketch in your notebook a unique roller coaster design of your own.

Lava Lamps

Join our hosts from Fidelity Bank, Vivian and Diana, as they show you how to make your very own lava lamp! Learn about density and why lava lamps work.

Materials

  • 16 Ounce empty water bottle

  • 10 Ounces vegetable oil

  • 5 Ounces water

  • Food Coloring

  • Alka Seltzer tablets

  • Stirring sticks

Engineering Notebook questions

  • Why did the bubbles float back to the surface?

  • Would the order of ingredients affect the experiment?

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