Photo (from left to right): Al Chapman, Maclellan Foundation; Priscilla Gomez, Woodmore Elementary’s guidance counselor and Woodmore Summer Enrichment Camp director, Zena Buckley; and Tally Caldwell, assistant principal at Woodmore Elementary
Most students are enjoying their summer vacation by relaxing by the pool, playing at the park, or hanging out with friends. Locally, 750 Hamilton County students, involved in 16 summer programs, funded by Chattanooga’s nonprofit Front Porch Alliance, have been working over the past month to enhance their science, geography, and critical thinking skills and at the same time raise funds for orphans in China by participating in the first annual Care for Children Virtual Balloon Race. Last month, 1,500 balloons were virtually launched from the Great Wall of China to see which would travel the furthest based on real time weather conditions.
Each student designed their individual balloons by size, shape, and even the thickness of the material.
The students utilized their skill sets in science, geography, and critically thinking to successfully forecast their simulations. They forecasted temperatures, weather conditions, and wind velocity to best plan their flight distance and patterns. The entrance fee to participate in the Care For Children Virtual Balloon Race was $5 per student and this fee was waived as a result of a grant provided by the Maclellan Foundation to the Front Porch Alliance.
Last week, Care for Children identified the balloons that traveled the furthest in various geographic regions. The first place winner in the Chattanooga Division was awarded to Priscilla Gomez…she beat out approximately 750 Chattanooga students to win first place. Priscilla is a rising fifth grader at Woodmore Elementary and on Wednesday she was recognized for her accomplishment and presented with a gift certificate to the Apple Store.
"All monies raised through the Care for Children Virtual Balloon Race benefited Care for Children. This nonprofit organization works alongside with governments in Asia to help move children out of government orphanages and into local, loving, foster families. The charity has worked in China for 17 years and as a result of their work an estimated 300,000 children are now out of care and in families where they belong," officials said.