UAH, GigaParts collaborate on weather balloons at Sci-Quest

(CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE — Young scientists can fly up, up and away at a weather balloon workshop at Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center.

Personnel from GigaParts and the Space Hardware Club at the University of Alabama in Huntsville are sharing their expertise for the Sci-Quest venture.

Sci-Quest Marketing Manager Jennifer Deermer said the event will attract “visitors of all ages for an opportunity to build an experiment that will be flown on a high-altitude weather balloon that will ‘almost’ go into space.”

The Weather Balloon Workshop will be held on March 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at Sci-Quest. Registration is now open.

“Working alongside UAH undergraduate club members, visitors will learn about high altitude balloons, how they are used in space and weather research,” Deermer said. Participants then will design their own experiment.

Visitors can then attend a weather balloon launch for free at GigaParts, 1426-B Paramount Drive in Huntsville. The launch on March 29 at 10 a.m. coincides with their Ham Radio Day event.

“Participants will help with the balloon launch, see data from their experiment and observe the weather balloon fly in real time,” Deermer said.

This workshop is included with general admission to Sci-Quest. Pre-registration is required.

Children who are 11 years old and younger can participate if accompanied by an adult. Children who are 12 years or older can participate without adult supervision.

To pre-register, visit sci-quest.org.