A ‘climb into space’ fundraiser for an ambitious science project at Tasker Milward School has reached the half-way point – 50km into the stratosphere!
Sixth-form science students at the school are hoping to be the first amateurs from Wales to launch a weather balloon into near space.
To raise the £2,000 needed to create the balloon, six teachers have embarked on a sponsored ‘climb into space’ of 100km / 72 miles (about 15 times the height of Mount Everest).
The teachers have been ‘climbing’ on steppers and ropes in the school gym in their spare time and this week reached the magic 50km mark.
“The training has been hard, injuries and illness have put obstacles in our way, but the science faculty battle on,” said teacher Jon Sharpe.
“The response from the pupils has been fantastic and excitement is growing at the prospect of a launch this summer.”
The students, led by Connor Goddard, Thomas Llewellyn, Tom Morgan, and Kristian Skoczek, aim to launch the balloon 35km (22 miles) high into the stratosphere, which will return live images and data for pupils to process.
They intend to use a latex helium meteorological balloon which will expand to a size of around 9m due to the decreased air pressure acting on it.
It will carry a payload consisting of a digital camera and sensors to obtain profiles of temperature and pressure. There will also be a GPS module and a modem to provide and relay positional data.
“We are very keen to find sponsors from local industry and commerce who could assist us with Helium supplies for the balloon or mobile phone equipment,” said Mr Sharpe.
“We would also appreciate the input of anyone with expertise in linking radio modems to GPS chips.”
If anyone is willing to help or would like to contribute towards the project they can contact Jon Sharpe on 01437 764147.
To follow the school’s progress and find out more details, view http://science.taskermilward.org.uk
