By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

The Engineering Behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

This week, on November 27th, Thanksgiving will be celebrated. Although we will gather around the dinner table on Thursday evening, many people will begin the day by watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you’ve ever wondered about all the science and engineering behind the parade, read on.

When engineering a new balloon design, creators first sketch out a diagram, which is examined and adjusted by engineering experts, to ensure that the design will safely float. Then dimensions are determined and a real-size clay model of the design is created, to calculate how much fabric and helium is needed.

The float then goes through months of testing, conducted by dozens of handlers. The tests are to ensure proper inflation and deflation, easy handling, etc. Then the finishing touches are added to the balloon.

Fun Facts:

  • It takes 90 minutes to inflate a parade balloon and 15 minutes to deflate one.
  • The average balloon requires 12,000 cubic feet of helium. That’s enough to fill about 2,500 bathtubs.
  • Balloon pilots must attend training and must be able to walk the parade route backwards. Balloon handlers support the pilot and help maintain control of the balloons. They must weigh at least 120 pounds and be in good health.

For more information about this year’s parade, go to: https://www.macys.com/social/parade/

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • 0 Comments

National STEM Day

Every year on November 8, we celebrate National STEM Day, a day dedicated to promoting interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The term "STEM" represents the four academic disciplines that drive innovation and problem-solving in our modern world.

National STEM Day was created in 2015 by MGA Entertainment, a toy company, to encourage children to explore STEM subjects through engaging, hands-on activities. These hands-on activities help children discover their potential career interests early on. Research continues to show the importance of introducing STEM concepts at an early age. The U.S. Department of Education emphasizes that “a strong STEM education is the key to the nation’s future,” noting that these disciplines are essential for innovation and economic growth.

In celebration of National STEM Day, here are some simple and educational activities parents can do with their children to help spark curiosity and strengthen STEM skills:
• Science: Conduct small experiments on greenhouse gases to help children understand climate change and practice data collection.
• Technology: Create a solar-powered paper house to teach about renewable energy sources.
• Engineering: Use blocks or paper to design and build structures, encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
• Mathematics: Play simple adding and subtracting games to improve critical thinking and numerical reasoning.

There are countless other ways to bring STEM learning into everyday life, from coding apps to nature exploration. Even if children pursue non-STEM careers, the problem-solving and analytical skills developed through these activities will benefit them throughout their lives.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

Halloween: A Time for Creativity and Engineering

Halloween is celebrated every October 31, and is all about imagination, fun, and tradition. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Halloween is “a holiday observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day,” with roots in ancient Celtic festivals and Christian traditions. Over the decades, Halloween has become a beloved holiday in the United States, marked by costume parties, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and haunted house decorations. This festive season is also an ideal time for engineers, students, and families to apply their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge in creative and engaging ways.

Engineering isn’t just about equations and blueprints, it’s also about problem-solving, design, and innovation, all of which are perfect skills for creating Halloween decorations. Using everyday and recyclable materials, engineers and DIYers can build spooky and interactive decorations that are fun, educational, and even environmentally friendly.

Here are some fun, engineering-inspired Halloween decoration ideas:

  • Pumpkin Elevator: Use recyclable materials like cardboard, pulleys, string, and small weights to build a simple machine that lifts pumpkins. It’s a great way to teach kids about mechanical advantages and physics.
  • Germinating Pumpkins: Turn your pumpkin into a mini science lab. Fill a hollowed-out pumpkin with soil and seeds to watch them sprout. It’s a great way to combine Halloween fun with plant biology and sustainability.
  • Floating Ghosts: Use plastic pipettes, cheesecloth, and clear string to create eerie, floating ghosts. This simple craft demonstrates principles of buoyancy and static balance.
  • Yarn Spider Webs: With just some yarn and tape, you can design large web patterns that mimic spider silk structures. This is a hands-on introduction to geometry and pattern design.
  • Paper Bats: Folding and cutting paper into bat shapes not only adds a spooky touch but also provides a fun lesson in symmetry and aerodynamics if you make them fly.

These projects are a great way to engage kids and adults alike in STEM, showing that engineering can be fun, hands-on, and festive.

Happy Halloween!

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

Understanding the Metric System in the U.S.

Last week marked National Metric Week, an annual observance that highlights the importance and utility of the metric system in science, education, and everyday life. While the metric system is widely used across the globe, the United States remains a notable exception in its limited adoption of this international standard. To honor National Metric Week, let’s highlight some important facts:

• The metric system originated during the Age of Enlightenment: It was developed in France as part of a broader effort to create a rational and universal system of measurement. In 1799, the metric system was officially adopted in France and designed to be simple, logical, and based on natural constants.

• The metric system gradually became a global adaptation: It became the standard in most of Europe and later spread to nearly every country worldwide. Today, only three countries have not fully adopted the metric system as their primary system of measurement: the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.

• Today, the United States still hasn’t converted to the metric system: During the Industrial Revolution, the U.S. became heavily reliant on manufacturing industries, which were already standardized in imperial units (e.g., inches, feet, pounds). Switching to a new system would have required a massive overhaul of tools, machinery, and production standards. This transition was viewed as both costly and time-consuming, which discouraged widespread adoption. While the U.S. officially recognizes the metric system, and it is widely used in scientific, medical, and military applications, imperial units remain the dominant standard in daily life. However, some industries, such as automotive manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, rely heavily on metric measurements due to international trade and regulatory standards.

National Metric Week serves as a reminder of the global standardization efforts that began over two centuries ago and continue to influence international cooperation in science, technology, and trade. While the United States may be an outlier in its use of the imperial system, the metric system remains a crucial part of education and scientific work across the country. By understanding the history and challenges of metric adoption, we can better appreciate the role of measurement in our modern world.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Hispanic individuals who have made lasting impacts in engineering, science, and space exploration. Among them are three pioneers whose achievements continue to inspire generations around the world.

o Franklin Chang-Díaz – Costa Rican-American Astronaut and Physicist
Born on April 5, 1950, in San José, Costa Rica, Dr. Franklin Chang-Díaz broke barriers in both science and space. After completing his early education in Costa Rica, he moved to the United States, where he finished high school in Connecticut. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1973, followed by a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977. Dr. Chang-Díaz became a NASA astronaut in 1981. Over his distinguished career, he completed seven spaceflights, which were missions STS 61-C, STS-34, STS-46, STS-60, STS-75, STS-91, and STS-111 before retiring in 2005. His work contributed significantly to space technology.

o Ellen Ochoa – First Hispanic Woman in Space
Ellen Ochoa, born on May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, is a proud Mexican American who made history as the first Hispanic woman to go to space. A highly accomplished engineer, she earned both her master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Her journey into space began on April 8, 1993, with the STS-56 mission. Ochoa would go on to complete four spaceflights in total, which were missions STS-56, STS-66, STS-96, and STS-110. Beyond her work as an astronaut, she later became the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, becoming a role model for women and Latinas in STEM fields.

o Zoilo Hermógenes García Peña – Aviation Pioneer from the Dominican Republic
Born on December 21, 1881, in La Vega, Dominican Republic, Zoilo Hermógenes García Peña holds a foundational place in the history of Dominican aviation. After studying civil engineering and aviation at the Institut Industriel du Nord in France, he returned to his homeland and was officially recognized with the exequatur, allowing him to practice engineering in the Dominican Republic. In 1911, García Peña designed and built his first aircraft, which he named the Poliplane, meaning “multiple wings” in Spanish. He successfully flew his plane in the United States, earning recognition as the first Dominican pilot. His pioneering work led him to be remembered as the father of aviation in the Dominican Republic.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!