The Balloon Museum is looking for a crew of young-at-heart volunteers to help us launch our new Field Trip program. We will provide all the training you need, and we are happy to work with you to flex around your schedule. Please take a look at the information below and sign up if you are interested in joining the fun!
Questions? Can't make the training dates?
Contact Diane Short, Volunteer and Education Outreach Coordinator, at dshort@cabq.gov
THE PROGRAM: Balloon Museum Field Trips – Science Meets Ballooning!
Dates and Times
Starting in April, we will welcome school groups by reservation for themed Field Trips. The program will run on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm, whenever we have a visit scheduled. Group sizes will range from 20-60 students, with larger groups subdivided into a rotating schedule of activities, tours, and time in our interactive Elevation Station.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for help in all these areas:
Field Trip Tour Guide – Lead groups through scheduled tours and highlight exhibits related to the day’s learning activity theme.
Field Trip Greeter – Welcome teachers, chaperones, and students to the museum. Assist teachers with check-in, lunch and coat management, way-finding, and other logistics from arrival to departure. Serve as liaison between teacher, museum staff, activity leader, and tour guides.
Learning Activity Assistant – Assist Balloon Museum staff in setting up hands-on activities before the event and breaking them down afterward. During the activity, assistants encourage students to participate by demonstrating activities and answering questions. Volunteers keep the space tidy, replenish supplies, and clean up after guests as needed.
Elevation Station Host -- Create an engaging and welcoming environment for students in the immersive Elevation Station exhibit. Hosts encourage healthy participation by modeling interactive gameplay on the touch table, on the projection walls, and at the wind tunnels. They also monitor the capacity in the exhibit, keep the space tidy, replenish materials, clean high-touch surface areas, and alert museum staff if displays need rebooting.
The Themes
Each visiting group will choose from one of these four themes. At the museum, they will explore the theme through guided tours, hands-on learning activities, and interactive play in the Elevation Station.
How Does a Balloon Fly? (Density, Mass, and Volume of Air)
Learn about the powerful lifting forces of air as you play with buoyancy.
How Do You Steer a Balloon? (Air Pressure, Wind and Weather)
Explore the concept of convection as you learn how land forms and air currents work together to shape our winds and weather. Use that knowledge to maneuver your own balloon.
How do Pilots Predict the Weather? (Clouds, Fronts, and Basic Weather Prediction)
Investigate the science of weather! Learn how to combine tools and personal observations to make your own forecasts.
Prepare for Flight! (Try your hand at Balloon Pilot skills, games, and challenges)
Jump into the fun of lighter-than-air flight with activities that introduce you to the skills, competitions, and challenges that make ballooning such an exciting sport.
