Project Horizon was (is) the most significant STEM program I have been involved with in my career.  In fact, Project Horizon is the reason the Tech Club became the STEM club.  This was the first time we involved science as the driving force behind our technology.

Initially I wanted to start something new for the Tech Club.  In particular, I was thinking about Cube Sats.  When I found out how much money was involved and the low percentage chance of a high school cube sat actually being part of a mission, I started thinking about alternatives.

One of our club mentors mentioned High Altitude Balloons (HAB).  The moment he informed us about this option, we took to it like nitrogen to the troposphere.  We spent the next three years focused on developing science projects utilizing some of the coolest technology we had ever used.

I had no idea, however, how to go about starting a HAB program.  I had very little guidance and limited support for the first launch as very few people knew about HABing.  I first needed to obtain a location to launch, followed by proper insurance, and of course authorization from the local air traffic authority.

Project Horizon is an amazing introduction to STEM and it sells itself as students LOVE it.  Knowing they will be placing a pod filled with experiments into near space, then track its landing location is exciting for just about anyone.

Some of my favorite experiments were the following:

• Colorimeter filled live algae

• Red Shift/Blue Shifting of light using a spectrometer

• Capillary Effect in Space using cameras, dye and celery

• Weight of gravity using micro-scale

• Effects of radiation on temperature

• Marshmallow expansion in space

• Effects of UV on film