Something big and full of hot air visited Oxford Middle School last week ? and no, it wasn’t a politician.
The folks from Big Sky Hot Air Balloons, an Oxford company that specializes in hot air balloon rides, visited sixth-graders to give them a lesson in convection, a method by which heat energy is transferred.
Hot air balloons use convection to fly.
The air inside the fabric balloon is heated using a propane-fueled burner. As the hot air inside rises because it’s lighter than cool air, so does the balloon.
Right now, students are studying matter and energy in their science classes and this demonstration fit right in with the lesson plan, according to teacher Melissa Flanagan.
‘The kids were actually able to see the difference between filling (the balloon) with ambient air and hot air, and how it rose when the hot air was inserted into it,? she said.
Flanagan said the demonstration helped ‘bring the real world into the classroom and make their learning a little bit more relevant.?
For more information about Big Sky Hot Air Balloons call (248) 969-8885.