Solar Bag Science Experiment
Without the sun, we wouldn’t have life on Earth, but it’s not always easy to show young scientists the incredible power of the sun. That’s where the Solar Bag from Steve Spangler Science can help.
The Solar Bag is a unique and gigantic teaching tool. This balloon harnesses solar energy to expand up to 25 feet when inflated and float into the air. It truly is a sight to behold as a giant, black balloon tube lifts off the ground using nothing but sunshine. Your students will be amazed by the Solar Bag and you’ll delight in their wide eyes and desire to learn more.
Don’t settle for imitation solar bags that are only 10 feet. Let’s be honest — these don’t work as well. The Solar Bag from Steve Spangler Science is a whole 25 feet long and is super easy to work with. Simply tie off one end of the bag and fill the Solar Bag with air by running with the open end in hand. Once the Solar Bag is full of air, you’ll tie off the open end and watch as the heat from the sun causes the air inside to expand. Within minutes, the enormous Solar Bag rises into the sky and floats like a giant sausage.
The material that Solar Bags are made of has to be thin to enable the sun-powered flight, so be careful during your experiments. Should the material tear, packing or masking tape will fix it right up, so that you can use the bag again and again.
What’s Included?
• Two Solar Bags that are 25 feet (7.62 meters) long
• 400 feet (122 meters) of Solar Bag String
• Activity guide with student worksheets
What Does It Teach?
The energy harnessed in the Solar Bag comes straight from the sun, but we can’t see it. The Solar Bag has a multitude of scientific applications — start by teaching students how energy from the sun causes air to up heat and expand, especially when amplified by the black surface of the Solar Bag. Teachers and students can engage in further discussions inspired by our Solar Bag about density, air pressure, buoyancy and convection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does It Work?
After rolling out the bag and tying one of the ends, you have to run around and fill the bag with air. Once it is full, tie the other end so that air can’t escape and watch the power of the sun at work! The solar energy will heat up the air inside the bag causing the molecules to move around and bump into all sides of the solar bag and make it rise!
How much weight will it lift off the ground?
The solar bag is not intended to lift any weight while it rises.
How high can it float?
The sky’s the limit on this one. We have let a solar bag or two go and its been observed by satellites at over 120,000 feet in the air!! This is the main reason that it is best to have some string attached so that you can inflate it, watch it float, and bring it back in order to use it time and time again.
Does it have to be a hot day?
The best environment for the solar bag activity is to have the sun shining with a cool temperature. You want the air inside of the bag to be able to heat up from where it originally was so that it can rise.
How many times can you use it?
The solar bag is made out of a light weight plastic material and will tear easily. If you are gentle with it, you may be able to use it several times.
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Steve Spangler Science
5 Research Drive, Suite 150
Shelton, CT 06484
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Mark Derail –
I bought this to anchor a solar bag.
The solar bag ended up anchoring itself around my rock bucket, so some of the string was used to turn the solar bag into a sausage. Sorry, no pics of said sausage.
Plenty of string left over, for a real deployment of a solar bag later this summer.
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Renee (verified owner) –
Are these recyclable once you’re done with them?
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Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
They are recyclable when you are done with them. Great question!
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JD –
What’s the approx lift capacity of the balloons
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Robin Wisely –
We order this every year, and it last us about a year with many uses! Last year we were unable to order, they were out of stock, and I am seeing that notation again this year. Please let me know when they are back in, everyone loves them at our site both during the school year and the summer, but I only get to order a couple of times a year!
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Sally –
Will you be getting any more bags in stock?
Thanks
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smack2021 –
Hi Sally, yes we did! The website has now been updated.
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Ronni –
Looks fun! Do they come in other colors in order to do a scientific investigation? Are there other possible true investigations beyond just a demonstration? Thanks!
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ablock –
Our solar bags only come in black in order to amplify the energy from the sun but there are many experiments you can try with them! These bags are great for investigating the suns energy and how it effects density, air pressure, buoyancy, convection and more!
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Mom –
The solar bags work well, so much fun for a group. Great for summer science school. But with a light breeze, this string isn't strong enough…its up up and away with the bag. The solar bags need stronger string. I wonder what people across town think seeing this long black noodle in the sky. I apologize for littering, it just flew away from us.
Mom-
Uh oh! Make sure and contact the local authorities and the FAA when something like that happens. We don't want air traffic near your home being grounded because of an "unidentified black object" flying around. Keep experimenting!
-Steve Spangler Science Web Team
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Sara –
What is the ideal temperature? Can it be too cold outside for this to work?
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Staff lisabrooks –
It is best to do this activity when the sun is shining bright, but the temperature is in the 70’s or lower. The goal is for the air inside the Solar Bag to be warmer than the outdoor temperature.
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C Busby –
Everyone sees this demo from inside the school, and they can’t wait to be in my class so they can participate too! Choose a cool, calm, sunny day for this.
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Janette Moman –
I used this product last year with 15 students and it ended up with a couple of holes that we taped up so it could still fly. It looked like the Lochness Monster up in the air. But this year I bought another one, and I had 20 kids working with it and ended up with too many holes. When they say not to use it on a windy day – that means, like, NO wind at all. I didn’t think it was windy until we tried to inflate it and realized that yes, it was indeed, too windy for this activity. But I guess that is part of the experiment.
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Rhonda Robinson –
I used this at a Girl Scout Event and the girl’s loved it!It does tear easily but we just cut off the torn part and it still worked and was a BIG hit. I will definitely be purchasing this product again.
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Carrie Wolf –
Bought one several years ago for a summer science camp and LOVED it! We filled it with the leaf blower … less chance of puncture while running around to fill it. Then I stored it wrapped in a bedsheet. I’ve used it several times over the years and each time we get a few more holes but it still works enough to prove the point! Way better than any kite. So, I’m in for another run. Can’t wait to do this experiment again. So impressive. Why would the bag arrive in shreds? Strange that several people had that experience….hope mine is good! Thanks to everyone at SSS for making science so much fun and easy to teach.
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Carol @ Learning with Boys –
My kids love doing science activities. They really enjoy the solar bag. We tried it last year at our house, but it was very difficult to find enough space to run and fill it. Also there were lots of trees and obstacles and we ended up tearing it very badly on the chimney. We still had a lot of fun. This year we bought another and took it to the local park. Very fun! We did get a couple of holes that we taped, but I think we will able to use it again.
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Nikita –
When will these be back in stick? Ty
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smack2021 –
I apologize, this item has been discontinued and will not be restocked.
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