On May 2nd, YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley teamed up with Magnitude.io and area girls to launch a high altitude balloon that would allow girls to make hypotheses about it’s trajectory based on wind patterns.

Prior to the event, the girls worked together to research the background behind how balloons can be used for scientific purposes and how wind currents and weather conditions would affect the balloon’s flight. During the event called “Raise your Sights. See the Possibilities” the girls presented their research and their hypothesis and the balloon was launched by ISS Above’s Liam Kennedy.

 

The balloon was launch successfully from the Santa Anita Racetrack parking lot and the girls participating then tracked it online through an application overlaid on google maps,  called aprs.fi, which uses ham radio signals from the balloon.

The girls were able to adjust their hypothesis with the balloons trajectory, though ultimately it landed just over the border in Nevada just a day later.