May 9, 2009

Register by Apr 17, 2009

Tobin James Cellars Map
Paso Robles, CA

2009 Awards,

Experiments ,
Registration,

Pictures ,
How to Participate,
Schedule of events,
To-Do List, Purchase List
Addresses & Maps

How to launch Balloons

Experiment Log Form

Plans for a Line Winder (pdf)

Two Station Theodolite:
Procedure Form Program

Check out last year's
Balloon Fest - 2008

Planning the Experiment

Use our website to learn more about the atmosphere and to design exciting experiments:

Atmospheric Research Website

Student Worksheets (pdf)
Measurement Terms (pdf)
Instrument Validation Assnmt (pdf)
Sensor Characteristics (pdf)

Instrument Validation Reports: (pdf)

Tips on designing
Suggested Experiments
Tips on Planning
Deliverables

Model documents:
Design, Validation, Procedure, Log, & Analysis

Examples from the Bearcat Experiment in 2004:
Experiment Design & Procedure, Log, Presentation, & Formal Lab Report

Reports & Presentations

Team Reports

Suggestions from the Presentation Judge

How fast does a balloon with a broken tether, rise?

At what altitude will a balloon burst?

Ideas for Additional Research

How accurately can we measure altitude with a barometer?

Which of the Atmospheric models for pressure & temperature does our data best fit?

Can we use the size of a known object on an aerial photo to calculate the altitude?

Suggested Experiments

How much lift is needed?

How much is the barometer pressure reading affected by the dynamic pressure of the wind?

Should the thermometer be shaded?