SETTING UP THE LAUNCH SITE

Place heat sources on the field. Fill the bottom of each can with about two inches of sand.

On the ground measure and mark off a distance of thirty feet from the heat source. (This will be the leg of the right triangle used, along with the theodolite reading, to measure the height of the flight.)
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THE LAUNCH

For each heat source used, there should be a minimum of three adult launchers. Two adults will hold the mouth of the balloon over the heat source while the third adult holds the balloon straight up using the top string caught by the hook on the broom pole. Be careful that neither the balloon nor the adults touch the heat source. When the balloon is full and the launchers feel a tug upward, thelaunchers should release the balloon. If the balloon catches fire, release immediately and use the fire extinguisher.
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LAUNCHING TASKS

Prior to the day of the launch teachers select some students to be members of crews. The teacher in charge of each crew meets with that group of students to explain their duties.

Crews:

The balloon keepers will be responsible for handing out the bag containing the balloon, data sheet, and pencil to each group prior to the launching of their balloon and is also responsible for collecting the bag containing the balloon, data sheet,and pencil after the flight. The announcer will call out the balloon group as space becomes available. (A launcher-liner-upper will tell the announcer when a space is available.)
The videographers and photographers will record the balloon launch.
The line helpers , divided into three subcrews, will make sure that no student crosses the line that is thirty feet from the heat source and will be divided into three sub-crews. The theododlite keepers will hold onto the plastic bag while the balloon people use the theodolite to measure the angle from where they are standing to the top of the balloon in flight. When the balloon people have finished using the theodolite they will return it to the theodolite keeper and take back their plastic bag. The launcher-liner-uppers will make sure there is one team launching and one team waiting behind the launching team. The line watchers will make sure students do not cross the measiring line.
The firemen will walk around the launch and grill areas, ready to help at a moment’s notice!
The balloon catchers will work in groups of two. They will retreive the balloon as it returns to Earth while the next team of two people waits for the next balloon to launch. After retrieving the balloon the balloon catchers will return the balloon to the people who built it.
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