Sunset Hills Fifth-Graders Soar with Handmade Hot Air Balloons in Rotary-Sponsored Event

Sunset Hills Elementary School turned into a colorful launch pad last week as fifth-graders built and flew their own tissue-paper hot air balloons, thanks to a special visit from the Balloon Explorium and an international crew of Rotary Youth Exchange students.

The hands-on program, called Paper Takes Flight, brought together young builders from Alamogordo with teen volunteers from six countries — Brazil, Germany, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland — along with local New Mexico students preparing to study abroad and members of the Rotary Club of White Sands.

Students spent the morning cutting, folding, and gluing vibrant tissue paper into miniature hot air balloons under the guidance of Balloon Explorium volunteers and the visiting exchange students. Once complete, the entire school gathered on the playground to watch the balloons fill with hot air and lift off into the clear Alamogordo sky, drawing cheers and excitement from students and teachers alike.

“It was a true STEAM experience — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math all rolled into one,” said Karen Brown, Executive Director of the Albuquerque-based Balloon Explorium. The nonprofit reaches more than 2,000 New Mexico students each year with the program. “Our fifth-graders here at Sunset Hills really showed great teamwork, and with so many wonderful volunteers, the balloons turned out beautifully.”

Sunset Hills fifth-grade teachers praised the real-world connection to classroom lessons.

“We are so grateful to the Balloon Explorium for traveling from Albuquerque to work with our students,” the teachers said in a joint statement. “It helped them see how the science concepts we’ve been studying actually work in real life. They also loved interacting with the Rotary foreign exchange students.”

The international visitors were in town for a Rotary District 5520 orientation weekend. Michelle Frechette, a member of the Rotary Youth Exchange Committee, explained the broader mission: “This program promotes cultural understanding and world peace. We were thrilled to have our exchange students help the fifth-graders build balloons while sharing a bit of their own cultures.”

Outbound New Mexico student Shane Mueller, who will soon study in Brazil, called the day a highlight. “It’s all about helping others, learning new languages and cultures, and saying yes to opportunities,” he said.

German exchange student Anton Wodrarz smiled as he recalled making connections with the younger kids. “Some were shy at first — I understand, I was too — but I even made a new friend who traded me Pokémon cards.”

The young balloon builders themselves summed it up best.

“Making hot air balloons taught me that hard work pays off,” said fifth-grader Noah. “Ours flew really high — we had to chase it forever!”

“It taught us to always be prepared,” added Rosale. “We needed extra glue sticks to patch holes.”

Bailey reflected on the science: “It was fun, and we learned how hot air can lift heavy things. It makes you appreciate what you can do with simple stuff.”

Rotary District Governor Nominee Laura Gonzalez encouraged local families to explore exchange opportunities. “If your student is interested in going abroad, start the conversation early,” she said. “And any family can host an inbound student — it’s an incredibly rewarding way to bring the world into your home.”

Alamogordo Public Schools extended its gratitude to the Balloon Explorium, Rotary District 5520, the Rotary Club of White Sands, Sunset Hills staff, and all volunteers and student participants for making the event a success. The Balloon Explorium hopes to return to additional APS schools and welcomes sponsorship opportunities to support future visits.

For more information about Alamogordo Public Schools, Rotary Youth Exchange, local Rotary opportunities, or the Balloon Explorium, please contact the Alamogordo Public Schools Communications Department leader Michelle Brideaux at communications@alamogordoschools.org.

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