From Classroom to Stratosphere: Launching Middle School Globe-Trekkers
Imagine standing on your school playground, releasing a small balloon, and watching it catch the wind until it disappears into the blue. Now, imagine that same balloon traveling thousands of miles, crossing vast oceans and continents, all while funneling data back to you from the very edge of space.
For the students at Walnut Middle School, this isn't a scene from a sci-fi novel—it is a real-world experience taking place in the classroom.
Thanks to the GIPS Foundation Classroom Grant and the Janeth Davis Memorial Grant, teachers Benjamin Marten and Tyler Madison have launched the "Circumnavigate the Globe" project. Together, they’ve transformed traditional science lessons into a global adventure that proves the sky isn't the limit.
This project brings STEM to life with an intensity that textbooks simply cannot match. Students aren't just observing; they are creators. They are tasked with designing, programming, and launching a high-tech pico-balloon built to withstand the harshest conditions of our atmosphere.
This journey of atmospheric studies requires more than just scientific knowledge; it demands extra study and determination. A small, dedicated group of students accepted the challenge of earning their HAM radio licenses, a rigorous process that requires mastering complex electronics and federal regulations. These student operators are the "mission control" of the project, decoding vital data on altitude and velocity to provide weekly updates during the school’s morning announcements. As the balloon passes over distant lands, every student at Walnut is part of the inclusive voyage. Click here to discover how these students mastered the HAM radio process to earn their official certifications.
The project's value is rooted in its practical, real-world application. Students learn a lesson in resilience:
· Failure is a Teacher: If a balloon fails, they use the scientific method to find out why and try again.
· Hard Work Pays Off: Studying for radio certification teaches the social-emotional lesson of sticking with a goal when things get tough.
· Community Matters: Through partnerships with local experts like Roger Hammond, the city’s Emergency Management office, and Matheson Gas students see how a community rallies behind big dreams.
The impact of this grant stretches far beyond the classroom walls. A legacy of service is introduced to students. By earning their HAM radio licenses, these students are becoming vital assets to Grand Island. They are training to become weather spotters for NOAA, provide emergency communications through the Teen CERT program, and assist with local traditions like the Harvest of Harmony Parade.
While the project's technical goal is to see a balloon circle the Earth more than once, the true mission is much larger. At Walnut Middle School, they aren't just tracking a balloon across a map; they are watching their own potential take flight. In this classroom, the world isn't just something you study—it’s something you reach out and touch.
Janeth Davis Memorial Grant
The Janeth Davis Memorial Grant stands as a heartfelt legacy for a woman who dedicated her life to the art of teaching and the success of her students. Established by her family to honor her memory as a beloved middle school English and Spanish teacher, this fund continues Davis’s work as a fierce advocate for student opportunity within the Grand Island Public Schools. Awarded annually through the GIPS Foundation’s Classroom Grant program, these funds are designed to spark innovation and provide vital resources in the classroom. While the grant maintains a special preference for middle school projects—reflecting the heart of Davis’s career—it remains an open door for any educator seeking to enrich the lives of their students. Through this memorial fund, Janeth’s passion for education lives on, investing in the bright futures of GIPS students one project at a time.
