Murray Takes Flight

The Rochester Museum and Science Center had an aviation week during which special activities for kids were focused on flight. Airigami was brought in to construct a model of a hot air balloon on site, as well as lead this activity designed to put the museum's mastodon, named Murray, into the air using nothing but helium balloons. Kids of all ages played with a single helium balloon and various weights to try to predict the number of balloons that would ultimately be needed for the task. Murray the mastodon became Murray the mathtodon as kids used him to help with their calculations. Variations in the way balloons were inflated and the slow loss of helium from balloons throughout the day contributed to some differences between calculations and the final result, making it even more fun to do the final launch. And then even more fun and adventure was had as things went, well, a bit off from the plan. All balloons and mastodons lifted into the air were tethered at all times. No mastodons were harmed during the making of this video. Airigami composts used latex balloons.