BUCKLAND — On March 8, Mohawk Trail Regional School senior Maximilian Carr launched a weather balloon as part of his Capstone Project.
Carr researched weather patterns and used computer simulations to determine the best conditions for launch and the trajectory of the balloon/instrument package in different scenarios.
Also, the Shelburne student designed and built most of the components of his instrument package, including the computer that controlled and connected all the sensors for humidity, temperature and GPS (global positioning system).
He also programmed the computer and used a GoPro camera to record video and images from the flight — including “cool shots that show the curvature of the earth,” according to Director of Curriculum and Instruction Sarah Jetzon.
Launched from near the school, the balloon reached the upper atmosphere at around 30,000 meters (or 18.6 miles.)
“Max and his crew used GPS to track the flight and followed the balloon in their chase car,” said Jetzon. She said they recovered the package in Maine, within a couple of miles of where his computer modeling predicted it would land.
According to Carr, the flight lasted about 2 hours and 37 minutes.
“During the construction and design of the capsule, I learned a lot,” said Carr. “Programming embedded systems was a new process that I had to figure out. … I also learned much about electrical engineering, as I had to build the circuits for the sensors based off the documentation provided.”
The Senior Capstone Project allows senior students to spend a semester pursuing a research project of their own choosing. It is now a required course for graduation.