The Space Program at Berkeley Springs High school is a "hands-on" activity that challenges students to think "outside of the box" as they design and conduct experiments at high altitudes. Students develop a better understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to prepare for the world in which we live.

Below are some of the activities/investigations that have been done. Many of the activities could be placed in more than one category because they are all interrelated.

Science

  • Use real data to evaluate properties of the atmosphere.
  • Explore current weather prediction techniques.
  • Make weather forecasts.
  • Use meteorological data to make decisions about the launch.
  • Determine how extreme temperatures might affect the components.
  • Do experiments in a vacuum to determine the behavior of hand warmers at low pressures.
  • Do experiments to determine the "best" time interval to use for the time-lapse camera.
  • Do experiments to determine battery life at low temperatures.
  • Do experiments to determine if the memory card capacity will be great enough to save the data for the entire flight.
  • Monitor "space" weather and determine how electromagnetic storms might affect the electronics.
  • Write formal lab reports.

Technology

  • Use spreadsheets to create graphs, display trendlines, display equations, and determine correlation coefficients for atmospheric data.
  • Understand and use GPS.
  • Use APRS to track the balloon.
  • Use a data-logger to collect temperature, pressure, humidity and altitude data.
  • Use computer simulations to predict the trajectory, burst altitude, landing site, and time of flight for the balloon.
  • Use a digital camera to capture pictures of the Earth at high altitudes.
  • Design an experiment to measure radiation levels during the flight.
  • Determine advantages and limitations of various tracking devices and methods.
  • Use a radiation detector and a data-logger to measure radiation levels at high altitudes.
  • Produce a movie about the project.

Engineering

  • Design and build the payload container.
  • Determine the "best" string length and location of the items for the payload train.
  • Design and build a device to inflate the balloon.
  • Design a map of how everything will be laid-out at the launch site.
  • Use a satellite map to determine information about the landing site. (trees, field, water, roof, road, ...)
  • Develop a method to tie the balloon.
  • Design and build a radar reflector.

Mathematics

  • Make conversions between metric and English units for the projection software and spreadsheet activities.
  • Determine the dimensions and mass of each material.
  • Calculate the amount of lift needed to obtain desired ascent rates, descent rates, and burst altitudes.
  • Use measurements to determine if the payload meets the FAA guidelines.
  • Use statistics to analyze the data from the data-logger.