Space Weather Balloon Curriculum Module

Event Details

The Capstone Event for the Space Weather Balloon should be modeled on Project Aether ( held annually at various locations by the AIAA Houston ( Northern New Jersey Sections and the University of Michigan Chapter ( Information on this event can be obtained by contacting event organizer Ben Longmier at .

The Capstone Event should have common elements to this outline, but local sections are encouraged to adapt the event to their local needs and potential sponsors.

  • Teacher Workshop Venue Requirements
  • Ground floor room with sufficient work tables and chairs to comfortably fit 4 teachers at each table to build payloads and actively participate in other activities
  • There should be a large open area outside the room with enough space for a trial balloon launch.
  • Tablecloths or other means to protect tables from potential damage (and the sanding of the planes)
  • A projector, screen and laptop
  • Stations for soldering, power and safe place away from potential fire hazards
  • Internet access (optional)
  • CapstoneEvent Venue Requirements
  • Large open space; a hanger at a local or regional airport is optimal and allows the FAA to have a known location for launches
  • Launch site should be farther than 30 miles from a major airport (class B), and west of the Atlantic Ocean by 200 miles.
  • Tables(6’ folding table recommended)
  • Podium with microphone (optional)
  • Manpower Requirements
  • 9-12volunteers (engineers or other qualified professionals are recommended)consisting of:
  • 1 Team Leader with responsibility to contact the FAA and make go/no-go decisions.
  • 2-3 people to oversee payload assembly and assist students with attaching experiments.
  • 1 person to monitor weather conditions and predicted flight paths.
  • 2-3 people to oversee and monitor gas management, inflation and weigh off.
  • 3-6 people to act as Judges for student projects
  • Judging and Scoring
  • A sample judging rubric can be obtained by contacting event organizer Ben Longmier at .
  • Establish a deadline and setup a way for students to submit written entries.
  • The selection of student experiments for participation in a launch fest is done beforehand.
  • Rules
  • Rules may be modified to meet the Section’s needs as long as they are published well before the event
  • Sample experiment and engineering challenge rules can be obtained by contacting event organizer Ben Longmier at .
  • Other Logistics
  • A sample “day-of” teacher info packet can be obtained by contacting event organizer Ben Longmier at .