the data and images the BalloonSat
recorded. It looks like the BalloonSats
were in large part a total success.
Results?
It’s through workshops like this
that I hope to introduce teachers to
BalloonSats, so they feel comfortable
with introducing them into their
curriculum. Not only do they need to
see how to build a BalloonSat and
get its data, they need to see how
BalloonSats can fit into science
standards like the Next Generation
Science Standards, or NGSS.
NGSS is trying to take science
education away from just teaching
facts, history, and the
interconnectedness of science to
integrating science with engineering.
BalloonSats fit into that view of
science education because students
need to design an engineered
lethal environment that can’t
otherwise be reached.
In some ways, a BalloonSat is a
student’s avatar, collecting the data
they’d like to collect, but can’t. Isn’t
that what exploring deep space is all
about?
Onwards and Upwards,
Your near space guide NV
A BalloonSat
Curriculum
Here are some of the topics a
BalloonSat class will cover:
• What is near space?
• Conditions in near space
• How to reach near space
• Factors affecting near space
flights
• Predicting near space flights
• Limitations and rules
• Avionics (depending on time
available, this will include basic
electronics and programming)
• Sensors
• Airframe design
• Airframe construction (tools and
techniques)
• BalloonSat testing
Completing a BalloonSat
curriculum can take over a week of
full class time if it involves
assembling and programming the
flight computer. Some schools use
an entire semester for their
BalloonSat when they run it as an
afterschool club. On the other hand,
when the avionics is preassembled
and programmed, teachers and
students can get a BalloonSat
ready for flight in two days. A class
then needs an extra day to
download and analyze their data.
Perhaps you’re a teacher or
know a teacher who might be
interested in near space exploration
with BalloonSats.
If so, please feel free to contact
me at nearsys@gmail.com. I’d be
happy to work out a way where I
could help kick-start your near
space program.
December 2015 49