FAIRFAX, Vt. -
Getting kids fired up for school can be tough, especially early in the morning.
But at BFA Fairfax they've found a way -- filling part of the school day with a different kind of lesson -- a tethered hot air balloon. With teachers getting rides, kids watched in awe, learning the principles behind balloon flight.
"It's a unique way to teach science and mathematics," said Jeff Ratcliffe, the balloon's crew chief.
"From my house I've seen a whole bunch, but I don't know if I've seen one blow up like that," said Jacob Antonovich, a 2nd grader.
"I love it! This is a great way to start school, especially on a Friday," said Owen Senesac, a 5th grader.
600 students watched teachers and faculty float away -- well -- at least for a few minutes.
"Oh, it's really amazing. I've never seen anything like it, its just really awesome," Senesac said.
"We're supposed to be having math class right now but we're outside watching a hot air balloon lift off," said Julia Ormerod, a 7th grader.
One of the basic concepts they're teaching kids is how warm air rises filling these giant balloons.
"You trap enough hot air inside a bag of fabric and lifts weight or the basket," Ratcliffe explained.
Science, Math and a little bit of phys-ed in this demonstration.
"The learning material in it and probably just to see something out of the ordinary you don't see every day," Senesac said.
Kids wrapping themselves around ballooning and science.
