Launch Video Link

Please click on the Link above to view
a "live action" 3 minute video of our February 2007
Balloon Sat Launch which demonstrates the balloon filling process
and the actual launch.
This is a large file (28 MB) so please be patient while it loads.

Changes in Altitudes is a Balloon Satellite program for
5th-12th grade teachers and students, that started in 2003 with support from the Phoenix Mars Lander Mission Education/Public Outreach efforts.  In 2008, this grant ended and we recently received funding to continue in 2009 from Science Foundation Arizona. The goal of our program is to
establish the elements of a small weather balloon satellite program at each participating school, that can be sustained by the school districts at a minimal cost.

Teachers are selected from schools across Arizona through a competitive application process, to receive training at a summer Balloon Satellite Workshop.  Once they are trained, the get to put together a student team that will design, construct and launch and recover small balloon payloads.  These payloads robotically measure the physical properties of the Earth's atmosphere as a function of time during the ascent & descent of a high altitude weather balloon, such as pressure, temperature and relative humidity 

NAU staff and volunteers from ANSR (Arizona Near Space Research)
assist with organizing and running all launch activities 

All materials, travel, room & board fees for the weekend launches are covered by the Grant except for a $60/student participation fee for each student that is paid prior to the launch.

Teachers participate in a Workshop paid for by the Space Grant
(typically held on a weekend in July or early August)

Choose a team of 4 students to train to build their own payload

Participate in up to 4 weekend launches over the course of 2 years
(w/4 different student teams)

Be part of a group of 5-10 schools participating in each launch

Be part of a real balloon chase and recover the payloads

Participate in follow-up meeting to discuss experiment/launch results during the launch weekend

Take this valuable lesson back to your classroom and share the experience

The only cost to your school or your students is a $60 per student participation fee that is due prior to the launch.

Quotes from participants

"I felt everything went very smoothly.  Part of science is not always knowing the outcome.  It's important for students to experience this".                             
      Mary Lara, Teacher, DeMiguel Elementary School

"I feel that my students became extremely excited about the possibility of a successful flight, and were truly engaged in what they were doing.  This trip solidified a strong working relationship between the students and I, and their productivity has increased by 100%".            
                               Christine Tokarz, Teacher -
                          Rock Point Community School

"Looking into the box and having the Rock Point students explain what they did was excellent.  My students were able to understand each part and why it was there.  The overall experience of being at the hotel meetings and the launch, with the other student teams and adults was excellent".  
                                 Jackie Drewett, Teacher -
                           Tuba City Boarding School

"it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not a lot of people do this.  That's why I wanted to do it.  I can't wait to see the pictures".

                    N.Schafer - Bullhead City Jr. High student

      "I had to learn how to solder.  I've never done that before and this has   gotten me more interested in Physics".  

                          M. Jordan - Deer Valley High School student