Are you curious about careers in science?

Hi, I'm Olivia.

And today I'm here with Dawn McKenzie.

Dawn, can you tell us where we are and what you do?

Yes, we're in Brighton, Michigan, and I'm a hot air balloon pilot and we're getting the balloons set up to take flight.

What is the process to set up and inflate the balloon?

To set up and inflate the balloon, we lay the basket on its side and we stretch the fabric out.

We connect it to the basket, and then we open the sides to allow air to blow in.

So we turn on a big giant fan and we blow cold air until the balloon is nice, packed and full.

Then we shoot a big giant eight foot flame into the balloon to heat the air that's inside.

And gradually we have it rise and stand up and then we are ready to take off.

What aspects of STEM are used in balloon piloting?

There are many aspects of STEM used in balloon piloting.

We analyze the weather in many ways to make sure it's safe.

So there's a lot of physics, air density and science that goes into hot air ballooning.

What are hot air balloons used for?

A lot of people fly hot air balloons for fun or for pleasure, but people also do it as a business to take out paid passengers or to fly advertising for a company.

And there's even competitive hot air ballooning.

How did you get interested in ballooning?

I was born into this sport.

My dad was a hot air balloon pilot, so I grew up being around it my whole life.

What is the most rewarding part of being a balloon pilot?

Being a balloon pilot is very rewarding.

It's so much fun.

There's so many people we meet along the way, and we have a really wonderful balloon community Up, up and away.

All right, oh wow we're high.

We're here!

Were so high and the view is so beautiful.

Being in a hot air balloon is nothing like I could have ever imagined.

My knowledge about STEM is sky high thanks to balloon pilot Dawn McKenzie.

Explore your possibilities.