Up to 100 balloons were released from each of 7 locations. Releases were made on 3 separate dates in March 2002. 53 recoveries were recorded - around 8.8% of the total released. Pupils learnt a lot about balloons in the process of their explorations. For example, balloon rubber becomes brittle at very low temperatures and this may cause the balloon to burst. The higher the balloon rises the lower the external pressure causing the balloon gases to expand. This is countered by the drop in external temperature. Different colour balloons absorb different amounts of heat and this also affects expansion or contraction of the helium. There are different direction airstreams at different heights so high flying balloons may travel in totally different directions to low flying ones.
Pupils followed up the balloon launch by doing research into the history of balloons and practical investigations. For example, some pupils investigated the load that a helium balloon could carry and how the amount of gas affected this. Some pupils also wrote poetry using balloons as the stimulus for their ideas.
The results below show some surprising results. Many people predicted that the balloons would travel in a north-easterly direction. Indeed a Met Office project carried out around about the same time showed some balloons travelling to Norway. However, most of our balloons travelled in a south-easterly direction. It just goes to show that wind directions can change markedly from one day to another!
Release location: Lindstrand, Oswestry Date:
11.3.02
Recovery:
Rotherham
Release location: Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer Date: 22.3.02
Recoveries:
1. Wallingford, Oxfordshire
2. Pershore, Worcestershire
3. Worcester
4. Broadway, Worcestershire
Release location: Worthen Primary School, Worthen Date: 22.3.02
Recoveries:
1. Maidenhead, Berkshire
2. Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire
3. Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire
4. Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire
5. Droitwich, Warwickshire
Release location: Muxton Primary School, Telford Date:
22.3.02
Recoveries:
1. Bicester, Oxfordshire
2. Banbury, Oxfordshire
3. Reigate, Surrey
4. Tadworth, Surrey
5. Princes Risborough, Bucks.
6. Wolverhampton
7. Bicester, Oxfordshire
8. Aylesbury, Bucks.
9. Aylesbury, Bucks.
10. Princes Risborough, Bucks.
Release location: Haughton School,Telford Date:
27.3.02
Recoveries:
1. Newport, Shropshire (six recoveries)
2. Lilleshall, Shropshire (two recoveries)
3. Droyton
4. Hollinswood, Telford
5. Donnington, Telford
6. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
7. Cheshire
Release location: Wrockwardine Wood School, Telford Date:
22.3.02
Recoveries:
1. Codsall Newton, Staffs.
2. Hall Green, Birmingham (2 recoveries)
3. Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
4. Balsall Heath, Birmingham
5. Solihull, West Mids.
6. Birmingham (2 recoveries)
Release location: St George's C.E. Primary School, Clun Date: 27.3.02
Recoveries:
1. Old Church Stoke, Powys (5 recoveries)
2. Church Stoke, Powys (3 recoveries)
3. Knockin, Shrops.
4. Lydbury North, Shrops.
5. Llandewi, Powys
6. Roundton Hill, Clun, Shrops.
For more information about the Science Year Balloon Launch contact Jerry Seymour,
Adviser for Science on Tel. 01743 254562