Hobbies And Interests
Typical Race
You can organize a standard balloon car race as a method of teaching team-building and sportsmanship. Allow people to organize into teams and set the terms for the race. Standard terms include using the balloons as the only propulsion system in terms of elasticity of the balloons or the air pressure of an inflated balloon. You may consider providing a list of approved materials and setting standards for weight, height, and length of the cars. To teach the lessons of team-building and sportsmanship, establish multiple awards, such as longest distance, highest speed, most original and most basic. The more awards you can give increases the positive feelings of the participants.
A Study of Physics
Make the balloon cars a study of physics as opposed to a simple project. Outline a time period for research and discussion relating to the physics involved in the project. Create an assignment centered on the designing of the project, including requirements for explanations of the function of the design and expectations for the performance. Make the final project a two-stage affair where the initial build is tested. A period of discussion and study follows the initial build and testing. A final build is the second stage where modifications are allowed from the initial build to compensate for problems that were initially noted.
Air Travel
Create a project that takes the standard balloon car into the air. A study of aerodynamics allows the students to learn how the wingspan, tail fins and body design impact the overall flight pattern while using balloons as a form of jet propulsion. You could set up two tracks. One track would be free-space flying, such as within a gymnasium or outdoors. The second track could be a string erected across an open space. The balloon planes would travel along the string using a straw attached to the plane to guide it. The second track would be to measure speed and distance. The first would be to measure the impact of fins and rudders on devices.