School Assembly Program Details

To complement our informational talk we always demonstrate a real, live on-site hot air balloon.  Your pilot will inflate the hot air balloon right before your eyes. This part is a true thrill! Balloons are enormous, and the mere size of the inflated craft is a marvel. No program is complete without the chance to see the balloon up close and personal, in all its glory.  This exciting demonstration might be done either outside or inside (or both!)

Outdoor demonstration

This is what most people think of when they imagine a balloon coming to school. If you wish, and if the weather permits, we may be able to inflate the balloon on a ball field or in the schoolyard. Once the balloon is inflated and upright, if the wind is calm enough, we might even be able to give a few rides up and down on a tether. (We keep the balloon tied with ropes so the wind will not carry it away.)  This demonstration is a hands-on opportunity, and often parents and staff enjoy assisting with balloon operations.  The full outdoor demonstration takes about 45 minutes.

Indoor demonstration

If you prefer, we can give an equally exciting (and even more educational) demonstration inside a gymnasium, cafeteria, multi-purpose room…or whatever facility you have. This demonstration is also our backup when weather prohibits operations outdoors.  It typically takes 30 minutes to accomplish.  For safety, we leave the basket with its propane fuel outside (see our video of a basket demo); we then inflate the balloon inside, using electric fans.  We tell the students that of course we can’t fly inside, but that we want to inflate the balloon; and we tell them that “the word ‘inflate’ means we fill the balloon with air; then, we are going to fill it…with…kids!”  Imagine students’ excitement as they enter inside a massive, beautiful, airworthy hot air balloon. While inside, we encounter several teachable moments with the students, of which we take full advantage.  For this portion, we are able to comfortably contain multiple classes within the balloon at one time.

Balloon Basket and Burner Demonstration

The excitement generated by the powerful double burner system is unparalleled!  This portion of the program typically will be included (barring really inclement weather) as an extension of the indoor program.  However, if the wind is too strong to stand the balloon up and give rides, we often invite the students to join us for a close-up look at the basket and burners as part of the outdoor demonstration as well.  We typically allow 15 minutes for the basket demonstration.

Click the photo below to view video of the burner demonstration (link takes you to our video at vimeo.com):