183. Stratospheric STEM: From Helium Hiccups to High-Altitude Heroics

Show Summary:Claire is back — and she’s taking us to the edge of space!Listen in as she shares the behind-the-scenes story of launching a weather balloon nearly 89,000 feet into the atmosphere! Despite flooding in Texas, a helium tank mix-up, and a few unmotivated students, her class pulled off one of the ultimate STEM challenges: a high-altitude balloon mission with a successful recovery! Tune in to hear what happened to the onboard science experiment, and get all the details on how to plan your own stratospheric STEM adventure.Related The STEM Space Podcast EpisodesPreviously, with Claire: 178. Getting Kids to Think90. We Launched a Weather BalloonVivify STEM Blog PostsLaunching Weather BalloonsHow to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing ForwardThe Importance of FailureI Didn’t Always Want to be an Engineer | Claire MeschkatVivify STEM LessonsWeather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project GuideSTEM Career Classroom PostersTechnology Choice Board Bundle - STEM Careers, Field Trip, & Types of TechFREE! - Interview Questions to ask STEM ProfessionalsOther STEM ResourcesHigh Altitude ScienceAir TractorRounds of severe thunderstorms bring giant hail, torrential rain and tornadoes (24-26 April 2025) | NWSVivify STEM YouTube: How to Launch a Weather Balloon to the Edge of Space: STEM Project GuideEmail us your questions!THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTESTHE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUPVIVIFY INSTAGRAMVIVIFY FACEBOOKVIVIFY XVIVIFY TIKTOKVIVIFY YOUTUBE