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News
March 2016
Parking
To ensure the safety to pupils, parents should not park in the bus lanes when dropping off and collecting
pupils from school. Parents should instead park in the designated car parking spaces.
Science Club – Balloon into Space Project
The science club are continuing to pursue the ambitious project of putting a balloon into ‘near space’ (above
100 000ft). After the initial excitement of conceiving such a project comes the reality of planning and executing.
After much deliberation the team have arrived at a solution that uses a Raspberry Pi computer connected to
various bespoke add-on modules that are now commercially available (thanks to the boffins at the Pi
foundation). These include a sensor module as well as GPS/telemetry/communications module called ‘Pi in the
sky’. Together, this all-in-one solution offers a breadth of functionality and reliability at a fraction of the cost and
complexity of most ‘pre pi’ projects. The benefit to the pupils is that they can get programming and assembling
without the need for complex physical assembly and networking issues.
Next week the first phase of programming the hardware begins with the writing of a data logging program. The
team will also begin the process of accepting submissions for experimental ideas to be piggy backed on our
mission. Given that the conditions in the upper atmosphere will be similar to those on the surface of Mars we
will be seeking ideas for small lightweight packages that might be added to the payload and returned for testing
and analysis later.
The team aim to present their plans at the upcoming Kilgraston Science Fair on May 6th where the title is ‘Life
on Mars’.
If you have an idea for something you would like to send up with our balloon that might help inform us about
life on Mars then please reply to [email protected]. The package should be between 1g and 20g and be
able to fit into a small matchbox sized container.