thumbnail of Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Balloon Brain: Designing a Helmet
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Series
Teachers' Domain
Program
Physical Science/Engineering
Title
Balloon Brain: Designing a Helmet
Producing Organization
WGBH Educational Foundation
Contributing Organization
WGBH (Boston, Massachusetts)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip/15-qb9v11vs3g
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Description
Episode Description
In this video segment adapted from Zoom, cast members are challenged to design protective head gear for a water balloon.
Description
In this video segment adapted from ZOOM, cast members are challenged to design protective headgear for a water balloon using what they know about the properties of the materials available.
Description
See related asset "phy03_vid_zhelmet_Backgrounder.xml"
Description
Bubble wrap and egg cartons are two of the materials used to solve the problem of protecting the water balloons. Describe the properties of each material that make it a good choice. Are there any downsides to using either one? What other materials would you use? Why? Did you notice how the water balloons came to a complete stop very suddenly when they hit the wall and then the floor? How did the homemade helmets protect the balloons at the moment of impact? Take a look at some bike helmets. In addition to the materials that make up a bike helmet, what other criteria do you think designers take into consideration?
Description
As humans, we thankfully have more going for us than the balloon brains depicted in this video segment adapted from ZOOM. Still, the failed efforts of some of the ZOOM cast members to design adequate protection for their balloon brains illustrates the importance of wearing a proper helmet and protecting your own brain whenever you skate, rollerblade, ski, or ride a bike.
Subjects
materials; Applying the Design Process; motions and forces :: terms :: acceleration; motions and forces :: basic forces :: pressure; technology :: design :: invention :: benefit/risk; Properties of Objects and Materials; science; motion :: property :: acceleration
Rights
Rights Note:Download and Share,Rights:,Rights Credit:2003 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. ZOOM and the ZOOM words and related indicia are trademarks of the WGBH Educational Foundation. Used with permission.,Rights Type:All,Rights Coverage:,Rights Holder:WGBH Educational Foundation
Media type
Moving Image
Duration
00:00:00
Credits
Producing Organization: WGBH Educational Foundation
Publisher: Teachers' Domain
AAPB Contributor Holdings
WGBH
Identifier: d65e7f34fb65e2979232df6a8455b8a1a35cda18 (ArtesiaDAM UOI_ID)
Format: video/quicktime
Color: Color
Duration: 00:00:00
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Citations
Chicago: “Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Balloon Brain: Designing a Helmet,” WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed August 2, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-qb9v11vs3g.
MLA: “Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Balloon Brain: Designing a Helmet.” WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. August 2, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-qb9v11vs3g>.
APA: Teachers' Domain; Physical Science/Engineering; Balloon Brain: Designing a Helmet. Boston, MA: WGBH, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-qb9v11vs3g