Wyoming Space Grant Supports Elementary Student Balloon Launch
Third-grade students at Velma Linford Elementary joined forces with the University of Wyoming’s NASA Space Grant Consortium on Tuesday morning to launch a high-altitude weather balloon, combining hands-on science learning with the thrill of near-space exploration.
According to the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium website, it is one of 52 programs nationwide that supports NASA missions through statewide education and research initiatives. It provides scholarships, internships and grants for Wyoming students and educators while offering hands-on STEM learning opportunities for K-12 classrooms.
Since 2014, its high-altitude balloon program has allowed students to design and launch experiments to the edge of space, engaging more than 4,500 Wyoming students. Velma Linford Elementary was one of the first public schools in the state to participate, continuing a tradition of sparking curiosity and inspiring future scientists.
“It’s just a latex balloon filled with helium,” UW research scientist and high-altitude ballooning specialist Phil Bergmaier said. “But we attached some tracking devices with GPS, as well as some weather sensors and some cameras.”
Read the full article on wyomingnews.com
Original Post Date: 10.11.25
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Image Credit: Rachel Finch/Laramie Boomerang