Balloon rises, students soar - Student News Net

Picture of stratosphere as taken by a camera in the capsule attached to a balloon that was designed by Springville-Griffith Institute Middle School eighth graders

Balloon rises, students soar

SNN and Springville-Griffith Institute Middle School

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Jan. 6, 2010 - Eighth grade students at Springville-Griffith Institute Middle School, S-GI, in Springville, New York were aware that MIT students launched a balloon in September that reached the stratosphere. So the eighth graders replicated the feat.

FIRST, the goal was defined to launch a weather balloon that would reach the stratosphere, 17 miles up, and bring it down with photographic proof, according to Benjamin Higgins, S-GI District Computer Integration Specialist/Coordinator. A team of 40 S-GI students and a cross-curricular faculty team that involved Social Studies, English, Math, Science and Technology teachers propelled the project from concept to reality.

During the planning phase, students researched GPS software, camera programming and weather patterns. After planning, teams progressed to the design phase during which students built a capsule for the camera from a disposable styrofoam cooler. But they had to figure out how to get a cord through the cooler to carry electronics to a parachute and then to the balloon. Students devised a unique solution of plastic tube carriers made from disposable pens that were hot-glued in place.

Teacher leaders included Mr. Karb (Camera and Capsule Team), Mrs. Ricci (Weather/Trajectory Team), Mrs. Cole (Videography Team), Mr. Reese (GPS Team) and Mr. Higgins/Mr. Przybycien (Programming Team).

Before formal launch, with eggs as cargo in the capsule, the parachute system and capsule were successfully tested from the roof of the school. Eggs were still intact when the capsule reached the ground!

Students at Springville-Griffith Institute Middle School in Springville, New York look to the sky as they release their experiment to the stratosphere on Nov. 18, 2009. (Photo courtesy of S-GI eighth grade students)

November 18, 2009 was launch day. A weather balloon was used to lift the capsule and a Canon camera captured images. A BOOST MOBILE GPS phone was placed in the capsule to locate the Word of the Day

apparatus after it landed. The FAA approved the design and gave permission to launch. The capsule launched from school and landed in a cornfield in Byron, New York.

Weather balloon with capsule rises in the sky after the Nov. 18 launch from Springville-Griffith Institute Middle School. (Photo courtesy of S-GI eighth grade students)

The experiment was a success and the group obtained over 2,100 photographs of the flight. School research also determined that it was the first time a group of middle school students had accomplished such a feat for under $250, according to Higgins.

"We hope that this project inspires others (teachers and students) to reach for the stars and achieve their goals no matter how difficult they seem," Higgins said in a press release about the successful experiment.

What did students think of the project? "Interesting because college kids did it and we could do it," Lindsey said. "As the balloon was launched I thought - this was the best project ever. I knew it was going to be a success as it went higher and higher. It truly was amazing," Dan said.

It's as clear as the stratosphere that S-GI students and the school community are on a similar trajectory.

1. Related Britannica content (Middle School): atmosphere

2. Related Britannica content (Elementary): atmosphere

3. What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere? What is the second most abundant gas?

4. List the 5 layers of the atmosphere noting how far above the Earth each layer is located. Create a song or poem to remember the order of the layers.

5. Approximately how far is Springville, New York from Byron, New York?

6. What is the FAA as mentioned in the story? Explain why the FAA had to approve the launch.