Poster Presentation

Lessons Learned from Doing High-Altitude Ballooning with Novice Ballooning Students

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Abstract

In an effort to establish a self-sustaining weather ballooning capability, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION 1 has used a high-altitude ballooning project to engage physics majors taking a sophomore/junior-level electronics class in hands-on, real-world engineering and design projects and data analysis for each of the past two academic years. Members of the stratospheric ballooning team at the ACADEMIC INSTITUTION 2 provided advice about payload development (possible experiments to try, payload box construction, electronics component selection/mounting/operation, etc.), and also supported flight-day operations. Student payloads contained video cameras, and,most-importantly (considering the electronics class context), microcontroller-logger sensor suites which class members helped wire, program,and test. Inspired by the ACADEMIC INSTITUTION 2’s STANDARDIZED PLATFORM and based on successful curricular experiences,in the summer of 2022 we designed a “standard” (but expandable) microcontroller-logged sensor platform and used it during a summer bridge program for incoming first year students, in which a stratospheric balloon mission served as an engaging central activity. The main goal of this two-week summer experience was to build community, STEM skills, and confidence among students entering college potentially interested in pursuing STEM. On this poster we share lessons learned about starting a high-altitude ballooning program, discuss similarities and challenges of doing ballooning with sophomore/junior-level physics majors versus incoming students, and comment on our experiences using a standard (but student-programmable and expandable) data-logging platform for payload development when working with novice ballooning students. Future directions for curricular development for the electronics class, as well as plans for additional engagement and support of the cohort of incoming (potential STEM major) students, are also described.

Keywords: Curriculum, STEM Education, High-Altitude Ballooning

How to Cite:

Stottrup, B. L., (2022) “Lessons Learned from Doing High-Altitude Ballooning with Novice Ballooning Students”, Academic High Altitude Conference 2022(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ahac.15667