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Custom Inflatable Stage Prop Proven to Raise Earth Science Test Scores

Inflatable Grand Canyon Visiting SchoolTeacher Uses Inflatable Stage Prop to Excite Students & Raise Test Scores

Talk about visual aids! One teacher, who saw students struggling with earth science, decided to make her lessons more hands-on.

After hiring Landmark Creations to develop their custom inflatable, Laurie Henry and her teaching partner began traveling across the state of Texas to bring highly interactive assemblies to school gyms using a 40-foot-wide canyon model.

 The inflatable stage prop displays layers of earth and rock, and sits on a tarp that represents the land and ocean. A fabric waterfall demonstrates how water flows from a river out to the ocean. A tunnel on one side includes an airbrushed fossil record, an oil deposit and a fault line.

"During our science program, students waft the river as the waterfall weathers and students erode the sediments down the river to the ocean to form a delta. The Big Canyon Balloon model is fantastic for teaching earth science to students in grades K-8th grade," explains Laurie.

"The most impressive achievement I have made with the Big Canyon Balloon was when a young boy ran up to me after my class and said, ‘I didn't get this until you taught me with your model!’ Students love learning in this interactive bigger than ‘WOW’ way. Teachers are amazed that I can teach their entire earth science unit in an hour.  Data supports that my program raises test scores.  My inflatable doesn't help my business. My inflatable IS my business!"

After having one bad (and costly) experience with another inflatables company, Laurie needed someone she could depend on. That's when she found Landmark Creations online.

"I liked the way Tom listened and shared his ideas with me so that I could use the canyon like I needed. Tom hit a home run with my model. His input made all the difference in the world. I am currently planning a new model and can't wait for Tom to create it!"

We're just as excited as Laurie is about helping students succeed.


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What Others Say About Landmark Creations


"[There was] fun, excitement, and encouragement for everyone to actually walk under/through [the arch] and it worked.  We have cheerleaders and small children at the finish line by the arch handing out stickers, saying ‘I did it.’ Before we had the arch, [people] would straggle in anywhere."

- Jackie Allen, March of Dimes

“We knew Landmark was the only company that would be able to understand our vision and work to make it come to life.”

- Lelia King, Charlotte Center City Partners

“[The inflatable arch] created a wonderful backdrop to brand our events, capture our sponsors in the photos used by the participants, and made it easy to travel down the coast of California without taking up too much space on our trucks.”

- Amy Daugherty, California Coast Classic

"This year’s event was the highest attended in some time, and the [inflatable] astronaut, front and center on our Portico, was a great visible draw from all over the area."

- Dennis Bateman, Carnegie Science Center

"The inflatables have been a great success at shows, seminars and especially at pet shops where they help us to coordinate Iams Co. weekends that allow us to promote and increase sales of our products."

-The IAMS Company

"Since they were purchased, these Sonic areas have attracted a great deal of attention when using the cup at the store or at special events in the community. [...] You have been excellent to do business with, always letting us know about any special deals and shipping the items quickly so we can start putting them to work. I appreciate your attention to our group of Sonics and for handling your business in a very professional manner, always delivering any information I need when making a decision. Here is a special thanks, with a "cherry on top."

- Mason-Harrison, Jarrard Enterprises