Lenoir City students use math to lift objects with balloons

 

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) - How many balloons does it take to lift a skeleton?

Seems like an odd question, but that's exactly what a group of students in Lenoir City have been trying to figure out. And Thursday, they put it to the test all in front of packed gym.

The point of all this is to teach kids math. The North Middle School students figured out many balloons it would take to lift a small object like a nickel, then scaled it up.

“We had the students watch the movie “Up” where Mr. Fredrickson's house actually lifts with balloons away. That's what intrigued the students- like can it really be possible to lift big objects with balloons,” Melissa Haun, the Loudon County math coach explained.

The name of the project is "Goodbye Howie Jr.” because that is the name of the skeleton.

The skeleton got a little off the ground, but didn't make it to the ceiling.