By HOLLY GASKILL
Seven Bluffton-Harrison students took part in a truly unique experience during the total solar eclipse on Monday.
A group of middle school students participated in the launch of a stratospheric weather balloon, which recorded the total solar eclipse from approximately 100,000 ft. in the air. The launch was the result of a partnership with Manchester High School, Quest for Stars, Starlink and Blue Origin.
The balloon had various pieces of equipment, GoPro cameras, and one hastily taped cell phone recording data and video. According to 7th grade science teacher Tyson Brooks, the balloon followed the solar eclipse for nearly two hours.
The students and staff began setting up the project on the 50-yard line of Fred F. Park Field at roughly 2 p.m., but preparation began much earlier.
Brooks said Bobby Russel, CEO of Quest for Stars, first got the air clearance to launch the balloon in 2017. Quest For Stars is a nonprofit that promotes unique STEM educational opportunities. Russell partnered with Manchester students for a similar launch last year, who then sought a location in the path of totality for a future launch. Manchester administrator Sue Gnagy connected with Assistant Superintendent Julie Meitzler — and the rest was history.
Brooks, 6th grade science teacher Amy Gerber, and the middle school Science Academic team have worked with the Manchester school and Quest for Stars since October.
The launch was fortunate to have clear skies and good weather, albeit with some wind. All hands were on deck to steady the balloon as it was filled and the equipment payload attached. Because of the massive amount of helium and breeze, steadying the balloon proved very physically demanding, requiring more students to substitute in to assist.
Leading up to the launch, however, Russell discovered one of the GoPros wasn’t working. He reportedly taped his own brand new phone to the package, saying the phone was replaceable, but the launch was not.
“We had a few small glitches, and it’s going to happen on every flight,” Russell said.
When all was ready, the group counted down from 10, let go, and the balloon quickly rocketed to the sky.
“It was like a breath of relief,” Brooks grinned. “It was like, ‘OK, there it goes. We did it.’”
In this moment of celebration, Brooks also harkened to the emotional core of the project — a Ukrainian flag, signed by displaced students, tied to the weather balloon. The Bluffton students communicated with the Ukrainian students through video calls and included their flag as a message of hope. The same students were also able to follow along through a video livestream on Bluffton-Harrison’s YouTube page.
The balloon was expected near Findlay, Ohio, at roughly 4:30 p.m., Russell. No further information was available at print.
holly@news-banner.com
