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Activity/Lab - Two labs were performed during the morning session.  The first lab explored the decrease in the downward average acceleration of a falling object when a parachute is used.  The second lab asked the students to again measure average acceleration, but this time of a helium balloon as it rises.  Many insights arose from this lab, including the decrease in acceleration of the balloon as it rises because of the increased mass of string supported by the balloon. The entire class with their parachutes. Ready for launch. Parachutes were dropped ... ... and their time of fall was measured. All of the parachutes were very effective ... ... in decreasing the value of the average downward acceleration ... ... and allowing for the ball to hit the ground with less final velocity. Once back inside, a helium balloon was attached to a string and a few paper clips were added. The balloon was placed on the floor ... ... and released. As the balloon rose, the students measured the time it took for the balloon to reach a previously defined height. Once the height and time data were collected ... ... it was determined that the acceleration decreased as the balloon rose. The data was tabulated ... ... and the calculations were completed. The weighted down helium balloons has a smaller average acceleration than the weighted down parachutes. Building Project - In the late 1700's, the Montgolfier brothers constructed the first hot air balloon.  Today we began work on 9 foot tall tissue paper balloons.  The balloons will be finished tomorrow morning and ready for a launch on Monday.  Teamwork was especially important to the successful completion of this project. The center of the gore template was first drawn. The gore template was completed. Tissue paper was glued together to make sheets greater than 9 feet long. Most of the time, two glue sticks are better than one. Once the template was complete, it was traced onto the tissue paper. The gores were maticulously cut out. When the cutting was completed, ten 9 foot long gores remained. These gores were glued to each other one by one.