Up up and away!
By Kerron Thomson | Posted: Tuesday April 30, 2024
Some lucky science students from Trinity Catholic College and St. Joseph's Cathedral School were treated to an outdoor excursion to see the 'Dream Big - Flying High Project'.
Dream Big - Flying High Project
Well, maybe not the ‘away’ part, but students from the Serious about Science year 7-9 option class took part in a tethered hot air balloon flight above Robin Hood Park on Monday.
Andrew Parker is a commercial pilot that operates out of Dubai and France for around 9 months of the year. Hamilton born and bred, Andrew started his quest to fly hot air balloons at the tender age of 6; started a balloon club at 13, and became a pilot three years later. He has flown balloons in over 100 countries and holds the unofficial world record for taking one particular balloon, pictured here, to over 80 countries.
His passion for ballooning, traveling, and inspiring kids led him to start the Flying High Charitable Trust. The program uses activities in STEAMM; Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics, and Mātauranga Māori as access points for guiding student inquiry and critical thinking. Andrew travels the country during his time off to support his program by offering a balloon flight and speaking to students about his story, how to dream big, aim high, and think sustainably about their futures.
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