Teachers' Science Corner —
Toy balloons are full of holes
 Q: Why do helium balloons come down after a few days? Can't they make balloons that keep helium in?
Ben, Albuquerque, New Mexico
A:
Mylar star balloons dangle from the ceiling, the pianist strokes her
ivories, and waiters waltz through the crowd. When the party's over, the balloons drift down. "Why?" asks Reader Ben.
Blow helium into a toy balloon and the elastic membrane stretches. The
solid-appearing membrane is riddled with... More on
"Toy balloons" >>>
Non-popping a balloon
Learning objective: Filling a hole with sticky tape will
keep it from popping, much like HI-FLOAT seals the holey flaws in a
balloon's membrane.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Topics: Molecules
The Unpoppable Balloon
(from
Medieval Lesson)
Merlin is a popular wizard from the story of King Arthur. Try this
magic trick, and friends and family will think you are quite a wizard
yourself.
You will need a balloons, transparent tape, and a straight pins.
Blow up several balloons and hand them out to your audience, along
with a straight pin. Instruct your audience that if they know the
correct magic words, they can stick a pin in their balloon without
popping it. Have them try. Of course, all the balloons will pop. Next,
stick a pin in your balloon. It doesn't pop!
The trick is to put a small piece of transparent tape on your
balloon, where no one can see it. When you stick the pin through the
tape into the balloon, the balloon will not pop. Hint: Do not
pull the pin out or the balloon will deflate.
Past WonderQuest Lessons:
The
most poisonous creature on earth
Octopus is kin to slugs and snails
Suggestions & Comments
Please send to:
-
Comment: It's a good idea, but needs to be marketed (i.e. made visible
to science teachers). You might consider putting a couple of
different things up for a couple of different grade levels.
Jesse Johnson,
physicist, University of New Mexico
7 May 2007 Reply: Good thought, Jesse.
Comment: Different teachers will want
different things. Many teachers will use only that material that they can
relate back to their state or district benchmarks or guidelines. The
problem is that different states all have different guidelines! On the
other hand, many states use National benchmarks to guide the development
of their own standards, such as using Project 2061:
http://www.project2061.org/
Eric H. Chudler, neuroscientist, Director of Education and Outreach,
University of Washington
7 May 2007
Reply: I'll add a lesson guide that relates to
the Q&A featured. Figuring out what teachers can use is difficult,
though. I need feedback.
- Comment: As a home schooling parent of kids 4 and
6.5, your articles are invaluable!
Curtis, home-school teacher
6 July 2007
- Comment: Please add my email address to your teacher
newsletter list. What I've seen so far is wonderful and I look forward to
receiving them on a regular basis. I am just about to start my student
teaching and then hopefully I'll be able to have my own class. I'm
looking forward to it, but know the first year I'll need all the help I
can get!
Teachers' resources:
A
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Lesson
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Today in science
Education programs,
advancing science, American Association for the Advancement of
Science, AAAS
The New York Times
lesson plans
Visit April's
WonderQuest site for many more questions and answers.
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