Cyndi Loza

After chasing down a brightly colored tissue paper balloon, one thought came immediately to 8-year-old Taiah Ordal’s mind.

“(This) was the most ‘awesomest’ day of our lives,” said Taiah, as she tried to catch her breath on Friday.

Fellow Huffaker Elementary School third-graders agreed.

“This day is awesome!” Michael Schenk, 8, screamed. “One time, (the balloon) fell on my head, and I ran into three people.”

But it’s not just about fun, Shelby Zucco, 8, said.

“It’s about science,” she said. “But you get to come out here and have fun.”

They were among 800 students who participated in the E.L. Cord Foundation Tissue Paper Balloon Launch on Friday. Another 600 students launched balloons on Thursday.

Tracey Frandsen, a Huffaker third-grade teacher, said her class constructed 18 model hot-air balloons to launch at the event.

“I love it,” she said. “Every child is smiling and running like crazy. That’s what it’s all about.”

Making balloons out of tissue paper helps fulfill the ABC’s of science, “activity before content,” said Lou Loftin, Northwest Regional Professional Development Program for 7th through 12th grade science.

“They’re coming out here and experience watching the hot air balloons and lifting the hot air balloons,” Loftin said. “Now, they’re going to go back and learn the content.”

Students learn about terms such as bouncy and density through their balloons that are launched from large Bunsen burners, Loftin said.

Patricia Ruiz, 8, a Huffaker third-grader, said her hard work paid off after watching her balloon fly for more than 500 feet.

“It almost made it out of the park, and I was really tired running after it,” Patricia said. “It was really rewarding.”