High school students set record with stratospheric balloon launch and recovery (photo)

  • by:
  • Source: Space
  • 10/17/2023
A team from the Astrogazers Club at the Croydon High School for Girls became the first U.K. school group to successfully launch and recover two weather balloons that reached high into Earth's atmosphere, a major achievement for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students in the country.

The Astrogazers Club, which included students aged 10 to 16, launched the two weather balloons from the campus of the University of Bath last month. It was their second try: The group's first attempt in late June encountered a technical failure, when high winds tore through ropes on the balloon.

Undeterred, the club's members worked over their summer break to prepare for the latest attempt, which saw the balloons rise to just above 32,000 feet (9,750 meters), well into the stratoshere. The balloons were equipped with sensors to record atmospheric data as well as a camera, which took a stunning photo of Earth from that lofty perch.

Please help put parents in charge of their child’s education by forwarding this article to other parents, family, friends and voters.
blue sky over white clouds by Matteo Fusco is licensed under Unsplash unsplash.com

Other Articles

Fresno Unified teachers very likely to strike. Here are the issues
The state’s third-largest school district, Fresno Unified, and its teachers union have tried since November to agree on a contract that invests in teachers.
Read More
School book bans have increased 33% since last year, but hope is not lost
Despite growing lawsuits and protests against book restrictions, bans continue to spread rapidly, according to a new report. But students are providing a glimmer of hope.
Read More
Property taxes are high. Will California voters pay more for school repairs?
This election, California school districts are counting on voters to pass dozens of local and state measures to fund badly needed repairs.
Read More
A New California Law Will Soon Block Schools From Banning LGBTQ+ Books
“All students deserve the freedom to read and learn about the truth, the world, and themselves," Gov. Newsom said in announcing the law.
Read More
Teachers report low pay, high levels of stress in annual survey
Teachers work more hours with a lower average base pay than other working Americans with similar vocations, according to a national Rand survey released June 18.
Read More
Reaching kindergarten parents key to fixing post-pandemic surge in absenteeism
School attendance has never recovered from the COVID crisis, especially in early years and communities of color.
Read More
63 CA Seniors Awarded STEM Grants From Amazon Future Engineers Program
Amazon Future Engineer awards hundreds of students with 4-year up to $40,000 scholarships and paid industry internships toward STEM degrees.
Read More
How schools can prepare for trauma response amid California wildfires
A number of organizations are rallying to provide support for student and staff mental well-being alongside other emergency services.
Read More

Get latest news delivered daily!

We will send you breaking news right to your inbox

© 2025 educationopportunity.org, Privacy Policy | FPPC #1460602