"2010 Introduction to High-Altitude Balloon Workshop"
Presented by Taylor University and StratoStar Systems at
Conner Prairie, in Fishers Indiana
July 21-22, 2010
This exciting two day hands-on workshop hosted by StratoStar Systems and Taylor University is focused on training and equipping undergraduate professors / instructors of all disciplines on how to implement high-altitude balloon launches in their classrooms and curricula, utilizing StratoStar's turn-key high-altitude ballooning products.
For an overview of the workshop activities and hear what other professors have said about the workshop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbmK47wdRTc
Hands-on Activities:
Attendees will go through the entire process of constructing a scientific experiment, launching it to the edge of space, chasing the payload and analyzing the flight data.
Learn from other Professors:
Attendees will hear presentations from professors from around the country who have implemented high-altitude balloon launches into their curricula . These presenters will share their experience working with students, administration, and local community outreach.
History of Balloon Workshops:
During the past three years, StratoStar Systems & Taylor University have been hosting high-altitude balloon workshops for professors. Over 55 Universities have attended these workshops, funded through a Phase II NSF CCLI grant.
Benefits of Workshop: The hands on environment encourages pedagogical collaboration while the instruments ease of use allows faculty to focus on teaching. After attending a workshop, faculty are confident they can introduce the High Altitude Balloon into their classroom with minimal effort.
Open to all levels of scientific or technical disciplines:
One of the goals of the workshop is to give people some training and access to detailed instructions for building and implementing a few sensor packages, as a first step into high-attitude ballooning. This may suit the needs of many of the undergraduate courses, but professors are encouraged to develop their own experiments to be flown in the future.
Here is a short list of how launching projects to the edge of space can be implemented into different academic areas. These are only examples and not an exhaustive list.
|
STEM Field |
Examples of Experiments |
|
Engineering |
Mechanical and electrical engineering for. Sensor development. |
|
Chemistry |
Analysis of atmospheric chemicals. Chemical reactions in near space conditions. |
|
Biology |
Biological functions in near space. Agricultural and wildlife mapping of the earth. |
|
Computer Science |
Software programming for control systems and experiment data analysis. |
|
Physics |
Sensors for Space Science, Nuclear Cosmic Rays, NanoSat hardware testing, Mars flight simulation. |
|
Math |
Application for modeling , operation and experiments. |
|
Astronomy |
Cosmic Rays, Remote sensing of sun, stars. |
|
Environmental Science |
Ecology mapping of the earth, animal tracking/diagnostics, river data communication |
Assessing High-Altitude Ballooning as a Educational Tool:
Taylor University's Psychology Department has developed tools for assessing the impact of high altitude ballooning on student learning. These tools will be implemented at both the workshop as well as at the launches at the various institutions (if desired). The data from this assessment will help show the measurable benefits of launching high-altitude balloons for undergraduate education. In addition, the results will show the areas for professors and instructors to focus on in order to improve learning in the classroom.
CCLI Summer 2008 workshop professors preparing to launch.
Questions email ssgavin@taylor.edu
