Camera Team and Capsule Team - Mr. Karb (Social Studies)
Researched capsules used in other balloon launches
Experimented with different ways to hold the camera in place. Two test capsules were used before the final version was created. Zip Ties, cut Styrofoam, and tape were all tested. In the end Great Stuff was sprayed in the capsule and then cut out to fit the camera
Students experimented with different ways to attach the capsule to the parachute. Several different techniques were attempted and the final design used cut pen tubes at all four corners to prevent the string from sawing through the Styrofoam
Students dropped the capsule off of the roof three times to test the parachute. Eggs and a 2lb weight were included in the capsule with no damage
tested the camera and adjusted the settings
Weighed every component
Weather/Trajectory Team - Mrs. Ricci (Mathematics)
Each day students would sign on to check the trajectory for the following day by using Google Earth and putting in longitude, latitude, and the number of hours until the projected launch. The main job was to help determine a day to launch where the trajectory showed an impact within a couple hours of here, and not in a body of water
Weather team
Students researched the weather forecast for 3 areas: Springville, Rochester, and Albany
They created charts of weather for the week for each of the three areas.
Their job was to help determine a clear weather day
Cell phone team
Using the Boost Mobile website, 2 boys researched the coverage map on the website to see if there were dead zones for that phone
Videography Team - Mrs. Cole (English)
Recorded video of the entire process
Took photographs throughout
Wrote articles for the student newspaper and the Buffalo news NEXT section.
Interviewed students about what they were working on
Helped create website on the launch
Created a mini-movie on the launch
GPS Team - Mr. Reese (Science)
Tested GPS phone by taking it around school property
Studies limits of GPS and potential dead zones
Programming Team (Technology) - Mr. Higgins / Mr. Przybycien
Stratosphere Balloon Springville Middle School Springville, New York 14141
