Thursday, February 28, 2008
TV and Movie Challenge
Prior to working with balloons I simply never knew just how many uses there are for them. I also didn't realize just how often they are used in the media. I challenge you to watch TV and during the length of your sitcom or drama look for balloons used either in the show or in a commercial during that time. We started watching and noticed that almost every show we would watch, would either use balloons or there were balloons in at least one commercial during the duration of the show. We were further amazed to see the use of balloons in so many movies. Some movies that come to mind are Enchanted, My Best Friend's Wedding, even horror movies. We challenge you to check it out and start balloon hunting in the media.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Balloons and Learning
Balloons help everyone learn science. Below is a fun experiment you can try with your class or family. It is reccomended by the Balloon Council and is a great way to teach and learn. This experiment is to teach/learn about wind direction.
Children can use helium-filled balloons to observe wind direction. They will see that even a “steady” wind changes direction frequently and that it also changes its speed. You may want to also supply a magnetic compass if you will be comparing the direction in this manner or for a less formal approach you can indicate to the students which way is North, South, East and West.
Getting Started:
On the playground or from the classroom window, call the children's attention to the wind. How can we tell it is blowing? (From the classroom by watching leaves, branches or flags move. Outside you also can feel it.)
Which way is the wind blowing? What do we mean by “which way”? (From and to some compass direction. From the west and to the east, for example.) How could we measure the direction? (Use a magnetic compass.)
Collecting Data:
Wind Direction.
This experiment is done outside either with the entire class using one balloon or with children in groups, each group having a balloon.
Tie the helium-filled balloon to a string -- 20 to 50 feet long. Choose a site where the balloons will not get entangled on nearby objects. Tie a loop in the end of the string so it is easy to hold -- or tether it to a heavy object such as a hammer on the ground or a fence.
Have the students observe and comment on the fact that (assuming the wind is blowing) the string does not go straight up, but inclines at an angle away from the wind.
Have several children measure the direction the string inclines -- that is, the direction the wind is blowing -- with a magnetic compass. The children may need instruction on how to use a compass to measure directions. For example, they will need to know that the compass needle points north and when they hold the compass to measure a direction, they should hold it so that the N is at the end of the needle. To observe the correct direction, the compass must be held at a place where the balloon appears to be vertically above the tether point --that is, directly upwind.
Have the children record the wind direction as a compass reading. They then can make a map of the experiment site, using arrows to show wind direction.
Changes in Wind Direction.
The wind does not often blow steadily from one direction. Usually, it wobbles back and forth a few degrees. If it does when you are doing your experiment, have the children try to measure how big the wobble is. Have them record the directions they observe. They can make a map of the observation site, using arrows to show the different wind directions.
Extensions.
You may want the children to try other ways to demonstrate wind direction such as observing weather varies, blowing soap bubbles and flying kites.
Happy Experimenting!
Children can use helium-filled balloons to observe wind direction. They will see that even a “steady” wind changes direction frequently and that it also changes its speed. You may want to also supply a magnetic compass if you will be comparing the direction in this manner or for a less formal approach you can indicate to the students which way is North, South, East and West.
Getting Started:
On the playground or from the classroom window, call the children's attention to the wind. How can we tell it is blowing? (From the classroom by watching leaves, branches or flags move. Outside you also can feel it.)
Which way is the wind blowing? What do we mean by “which way”? (From and to some compass direction. From the west and to the east, for example.) How could we measure the direction? (Use a magnetic compass.)
Collecting Data:
Wind Direction.
This experiment is done outside either with the entire class using one balloon or with children in groups, each group having a balloon.
Tie the helium-filled balloon to a string -- 20 to 50 feet long. Choose a site where the balloons will not get entangled on nearby objects. Tie a loop in the end of the string so it is easy to hold -- or tether it to a heavy object such as a hammer on the ground or a fence.
Have the students observe and comment on the fact that (assuming the wind is blowing) the string does not go straight up, but inclines at an angle away from the wind.
Have several children measure the direction the string inclines -- that is, the direction the wind is blowing -- with a magnetic compass. The children may need instruction on how to use a compass to measure directions. For example, they will need to know that the compass needle points north and when they hold the compass to measure a direction, they should hold it so that the N is at the end of the needle. To observe the correct direction, the compass must be held at a place where the balloon appears to be vertically above the tether point --that is, directly upwind.
Have the children record the wind direction as a compass reading. They then can make a map of the experiment site, using arrows to show wind direction.
Changes in Wind Direction.
The wind does not often blow steadily from one direction. Usually, it wobbles back and forth a few degrees. If it does when you are doing your experiment, have the children try to measure how big the wobble is. Have them record the directions they observe. They can make a map of the observation site, using arrows to show the different wind directions.
Extensions.
You may want the children to try other ways to demonstrate wind direction such as observing weather varies, blowing soap bubbles and flying kites.
Happy Experimenting!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Go Green!
Today more and more people are becoming educated in conservation. People are desiring to learn ways they can conserve and be environmentally friendly. Decorating with balloons is a great way to do this.
Balloons to the Max uses two types of balloons: Latex and Foil. Our foil balloons are only used a fraction of the time and are disposed of properly by our company and are NEVER released. We mainly use latex balloons produced by Qualatex. These balloons are latex and not rubber. These balloons come from rubber trees. Here are some environmental facts you may find interesting when planning your next "green" event.
1. Latex is collected by cutting the tree’s bark, then catching the latex in a cup. Latex harvesting doesn’t hurt the tree!
2. Latex balloons are Earth-friendly! Rubber trees grow in rain forests. Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex-producing trees are left intact. A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years!
3. We can decorate with air-filled balloons rather than helium filled, which limits the cost as well as the use of this natural material. However, if helium is your desired product please know that helium is constantly leaving the earth's surface and will either leave the atmosphere on its own or can be used for products such as in balloons prior to its release into the environment, so the use of helium is also environmentally friendly.
4. A latex balloon is made from 100 percent organic material and it’s 100 percent biodegradable. Stress caused by inflation starts this decomposition cycle. Exposure to sunlight accelerates the process — oxygen and ozone continue the molecular attack even in the dark. Deterioration is clearly evident within a few hours — it begins to oxidize or “frost” — and soon the balloon will break apart. Research has shown that under similar conditions latex decomposes as quickly as an oak leaf.
5. Rarely do released balloons return to the earth’s surface intact. Studies show these balloons usually rise to an altitude of about five miles. At that point, freezing and air pressure causes “brittle fracture” creating spaghetti-like pieces that scatter to the four winds.
While some balloons don’t reach this altitude, research indicates that in an average 500-balloon release, the unexploded balloon return density is no greater than one per 15 square miles.
Research shows that regardless of the latex balloon’s ultimate form when it lands, it will decompose, forming a natural soil nutrient at the same rate as that of an oak leaf.
So if you are interested in making your next event unforgettable and yet environmentally friendly decorate with balloons!
Statistics and information courtesy of Qualatex and the Balloon Council.
Balloons to the Max uses two types of balloons: Latex and Foil. Our foil balloons are only used a fraction of the time and are disposed of properly by our company and are NEVER released. We mainly use latex balloons produced by Qualatex. These balloons are latex and not rubber. These balloons come from rubber trees. Here are some environmental facts you may find interesting when planning your next "green" event.
1. Latex is collected by cutting the tree’s bark, then catching the latex in a cup. Latex harvesting doesn’t hurt the tree!
2. Latex balloons are Earth-friendly! Rubber trees grow in rain forests. Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex-producing trees are left intact. A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years!
3. We can decorate with air-filled balloons rather than helium filled, which limits the cost as well as the use of this natural material. However, if helium is your desired product please know that helium is constantly leaving the earth's surface and will either leave the atmosphere on its own or can be used for products such as in balloons prior to its release into the environment, so the use of helium is also environmentally friendly.
4. A latex balloon is made from 100 percent organic material and it’s 100 percent biodegradable. Stress caused by inflation starts this decomposition cycle. Exposure to sunlight accelerates the process — oxygen and ozone continue the molecular attack even in the dark. Deterioration is clearly evident within a few hours — it begins to oxidize or “frost” — and soon the balloon will break apart. Research has shown that under similar conditions latex decomposes as quickly as an oak leaf.
5. Rarely do released balloons return to the earth’s surface intact. Studies show these balloons usually rise to an altitude of about five miles. At that point, freezing and air pressure causes “brittle fracture” creating spaghetti-like pieces that scatter to the four winds.
While some balloons don’t reach this altitude, research indicates that in an average 500-balloon release, the unexploded balloon return density is no greater than one per 15 square miles.
Research shows that regardless of the latex balloon’s ultimate form when it lands, it will decompose, forming a natural soil nutrient at the same rate as that of an oak leaf.
So if you are interested in making your next event unforgettable and yet environmentally friendly decorate with balloons!
Statistics and information courtesy of Qualatex and the Balloon Council.
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