I've always prided myself on a fairly strong stomach. I've never met
a rollercoaster I didn't love. And not even an upside down flight in an
open-cockpit WWII Stearman could make me nauseous.
But that was back in the day. My younger years (umm, 2006). Something mysterious happens when you hit the age of 25 ...
A balloon sent me over the edge. But trust me ... it was a BIG one. As
I stepped inside a 20-foot inflatable Earth Balloon this
afternoon, I grounded myself on Antarctica quicker than the 5-year-olds
surrounding me could ask where Santa lived on the North Pole. There's
something about a huge balloon inflating around you that's a bit
unsettling to an empty stomach.
But what an incredible learning
experience for the kids. Entire classes at Southwood Glen Elementary
School, Franklin, entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and
looked at the world from the inside out. The kids then learned an
invaluable lesson on conserving our planet's natural resources. Here
are a few quick photos ...
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH BOUNCE FLASH
Andrew Smith (right), a second-grader at Southwood Glen Elementary
School, Franklin, looks up inside a giant Earth Balloon Tuesday, April
1, 2008, in the school's gymnasium. Students had the chance to sit
inside the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe. Entire classes
entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world
from the inside out. The experience, presented by WhereAbouts Inc.,
taught the students about the world's water resources and various
cultures.
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/80, Manual
Students at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, raise their
hands with questions while inside a giant Earth Balloon Tuesday, April
1, 2008, in the school's gymnasium. Students had the chance to sit
inside the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe. Entire classes
entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world
from the inside out. The experience, presented by WhereAbouts Inc.,
taught the students about the world's water resources and various
cultures.
