Designing, making and testing balloons is an excellent way to combine science with D&T. In this lesson, children will investigate and then build their own hot air balloon. It’s a process that requires a combination of science and design and technology skills, and provides many opportunities for discussion, questioning and evaluation.
While some balloons will fly, others may not. But the children don’t seem to mind when their balloon isn’t quite as successful as others; in fact, they are very keen to take the balloons home, working or not. Encourage creativity in design and generate lots of discussion. The learning opportunities that present themselves through both the successful, and not quite so successful, designs are equally valuable.
