Nearly 400 third-graders from Hazel Dell, Promise Road and Noble Crossing elementary schools recently sent inspirational messages, names of loved ones and hopes for the future into space by way of a high-altitude aerospace balloon launch.
Through a partnership with Noblesville High School students, the third-graders will track how closely the balloon’s performance matches their classroom predictions by studying its temperature, pressure, humidity, assent, speed, spin rate and route online. The balloon is expected to ascend nearly 100,000 feet into the atmosphere and ultimately land somewhere near Dayton, Ohio.
The launch, which happened April 16, was the result of a $4,400 project grant from the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation and was led by Noblesville High School aerospace teacher and STEM coordinator Andy Wilkins.
Thanks to satellite and internet technology, launch data will be reported in real-time so students, teachers, parents, friends, hobbyists and others can join in the learning experience. The balloon can be followed by visiting tracking.stratostar.net/mission/0295.
