Abstract

The goal of Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s (BCTC) Eclipse Outreach Ambassador Project was to get students across the Bluegrass excited and educated about the 2017 total solar eclipse. Several years ago the BalloonSat Project was started to provide hands-on earth and atmospheric science experiences to BCTC students. In linking the two initiatives, we allowed BCTC BalloonSat team members to continue learning to design, build, test, fly and retrieve balloon-borne payloads while using a novel method by which to engage local elementary and middle school students in learning more about and anticipating the upcoming eclipse. Eclipse practice flights carried payloads constructed by local K-12 STEM students. Balloon team members will discuss lessons learned in launch, flight, and recovery procedures, as well as, STEM outreach.

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Impactful Practice: Lessons Learned Through Ballooning Outreach

The goal of Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s (BCTC) Eclipse Outreach Ambassador Project was to get students across the Bluegrass excited and educated about the 2017 total solar eclipse. Several years ago the BalloonSat Project was started to provide hands-on earth and atmospheric science experiences to BCTC students. In linking the two initiatives, we allowed BCTC BalloonSat team members to continue learning to design, build, test, fly and retrieve balloon-borne payloads while using a novel method by which to engage local elementary and middle school students in learning more about and anticipating the upcoming eclipse. Eclipse practice flights carried payloads constructed by local K-12 STEM students. Balloon team members will discuss lessons learned in launch, flight, and recovery procedures, as well as, STEM outreach.