Outreach

Get ready for lift-off! The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is thrilled to launch the 2026 Balloons Aloft Pin Contest! Each year, on the Friday before Balloon Fiesta®, our amazing, registered pilots soar into local schools across the Albuquerque area not just with balloons, but with big smiles, fun facts, and unforgettable memories. And this year, we’re inviting 5th grade students to be part of the magic by designing the official Balloons Aloft pin for the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®! Imagine your artwork worn and collected by balloon fans from around the world, it’s your chance to let your creativity take flight! Click here to receive more information!

Did you know? The Gordon Bennett is an epic, high-adventure annual gas balloon race and it’s all about distance. The goal? Fly the farthest… and WIN! But don’t be fooled, it’s not just about drifting with the wind. This race takes serious skill, strategy, and courage as pilots navigate their balloons for hundreds (even thousands!) of miles. And here’s the best part: you and your students can follow the action LIVE with Gordon Bennett TV! Stream it right into your classroom and track the race in real time. Ready to dive into the thrilling world of gas ballooning? Let’s explore how these incredible flights happen and why the Gordon Bennett race is one of the most prestigious ballooning events in the world!

Ideas for ways to incorporate the Gordon Bennett Race into your classroom:

• Visit the Gordon Bennett website for history and information. Great resource! 
  • Use the “Teams” heading on the website to learn about the 24 teams in the Gordon Bennett!
    • Place your class into teams of 3 students. Have each team of students draw one Gordon Bennett team to follow throughout the race, or two teams!
    • Students will create a trifold brochure (travel brochure) about the Gordon Bennett team they are following. Ideas for the brochure:
      • Country flag
      • Country location on a map
      • Landscape of the country
      • What is the country known for?
      • Language spoken
      • Weather
      • Why would people want to travel to this country?
      • How did each pilot get into ballooning? Write a short article on each pilot.
      • Pictures of the country
      • Capital City
      • How many hours would it take to travel there from the United States on an airplane?
      • Famous person from this country
    • Ok, we all think it – the bathroom! How do pilots use the bathroom on the flight?
    • What is ballast? How do these gas balloons work?
    • What gas is used to fill a gas balloon? Where does this natural resource come from? How much does it cost?
    • Using a world map, have students locate their team(s) on the map with a tack.
    • Using this same map, allow students to move their tacks from day to day to follow the race!
    • What do pilots eat while flying?
    • What is inside the gondola on the flight?
    • How long does the average flight for Gordon Bennett take place?
    • One local pilot in Albuquerque that is participating in the 2025 Gordon Bennett is Mark Sullivan. Reach out and schedule a talk!
    • Parts of a gas balloon (Fill in a diagram)
    • How long does it take to fill a gas balloon?
    • Watch Gordon Bennett Live TV (go to the website) to catch up on the race! They do a great job of covering all aspects of the race! They will even interview pilots while the race is going on!
    • Create a vocabulary list of gas ballooning words.

Experience the Magic Behind the Scenes! 🎈

Rising Up is ready to elevate your event with a special guest speaker! Ever wondered how the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta came to be? Or what it really takes to launch hundreds of vibrant hot air balloons into the New Mexico sky? Now’s your chance to find out!

Bring the wonder, history, and behind-the-scenes secrets of the Balloon Fiesta straight to your group or gathering. Click here to request more information, your journey into the skies starts here!

Rising Up is Coming to Your Event! 🎈

Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Rising Up is thrilled to join your community event or STEAM night, and we’re bringing the excitement with us.

Visit our interactive table filled with awesome giveaways, hands-on activities, and inspiring stories. Want to take it to the next level? We might even roll in a real hot air balloon gondola with a pilot on site to spark imaginations and ignite curiosity!

Every visit is fully customizable to fit your school or event needs. Whether you’re looking to inspire future scientists, engineers, or adventurers, we’re here to lift learning to new heights. Click here to request more information and let’s rise up together!