Robert Ferrell

Ferrell’s innovative teaching idea, “Stratosphere Project,” features a weather balloon-based investigation of Earth’s near-space conditions using collaborative forecasting, calculating, and engineering approaches. Team members will develop and design the entire project using a combination of student-designed/engineered parts and specialized instrumentation to measure different conditions at heights of up to 20 miles above the Earth. Students will use launch forecasting software and long-range upper level wind models to plan the optimal time to launch the weather balloon and will utilize long-range GPS tracking devices and their coordinated cell phone apps to prepare for retrieval of the balloon. Retrieval teams must also be wary of potential hazards for balloon landings in the environment such as landing in trees, bodies of water, vast farm fields, etc. and have contingency plans in place for each possibility.