Over the summer/autumn the Creative Computing Club which was initially funded through Peoplefund.it hopes to launch a High Altitude Balloon (HAB) to collect data and pictures from near space.
You can help fund and support this project here at peoplefund.it.
What Is Our History?
The Creative Computing Club has gone
from strength to strength after gaining funding through Peoplefund.it
last year. The initial pilot course ran for 8 weeks with just ten
students, it hasn't stopped since then and now it has over twenty
students who regularly attend the Tuesday sessions. Because we have
grown in numbers, we have since moved from Chantry library, Ipswich to
Parkside PRU, Ipswich which has a full IT suite and excellent friendly
and supportive staff.
In addition to the financial support from
all those who pledged through Peoplefund.it we also received support
from Rapid Electronics, Young Rewired State, O'reilly publishing,
YoYoGames and Love Electronics via equipment and expertise and for that
we are truly grateful.
What Do We Do?
The aim of the
Creative Computer Club (CCC) is simple, teach kids new skills using
technology whether that be computer programming, electronics, game
design, digital illustration, digital sound, animation, using tech such
as Arduinos, LEGO Mindstorms, YoYo Games GameMaker, Processing and much
more.
The CCC project has proven to be a success and beneficial to
students not just while at the sessions but in their everyday lives by
boosting their confidence and allowing them access to professionals who
donate their time to teach them. It has helped a number of students in
their school work allowing them to find connections with the things they
are learning and real-life examples that they can not only understand
but explore and build upon. Lastly and certainly not least CCC has
provided a social outlet for the students, providing them with
teambuilding exercises which also help build their self-confidence and
motivation.
What Do We Want To Achieve?
The CCC aims to
launch a High Altitude Balloon in to near space to collect data and
images. The project also brings together a lot of the learning we have
undergone in the last year requiring us to build the the probe/payload
and balloon using our electronics, programming and design skills.
Objectives:
Research how High Altitude Balloons are made, learn and observe a local organisation launching one.
Meet
with local Astronomy clubs to identify the needs and possibilities of
our HAB to make it safe, robust and as much fun as possible.
Build
the components in to the payload, temperature sensor, GPS module,
camera, sound recorder so we can track it upon landing and collect the
data from it.
Apply to have the balloon legally and safely launched.
Learn how balloons are tracked using various APIs and GPS software.
Document the entire process through a series of videos.
Prepare a rough guide to launching HABs so other schools and community projects can do the same.
Are There Any Risks?
All
publicly engaging projects have risks, but through careful planning and
design we hope to all but eliminate them. Even if the the payload is
lost / destroyed we will still have the learning experience of having
built one and all of the off-site learning experiences with the
different organisations.
What Are The Benefits?
CCC has a
history of providing students with unique learning experiences, this
project will build on several aspects of their skills. They will need
their electronics skills to wire up the components, they will need their
programming skills to get the components to work together. They will
need their design skills to design a robust and safe payload system with
multiple contingency plans.
One of the fundamental beliefs of CCC
is that if a student doesn't know they are allowed or capable of doing
something, the chances are they are not likely to try it, building
something as unique and hands-on such as a High Altitude Balloon with
give them an enormous boost in confidence to explore what they can do
with their talents.
What Will This Funding Cover?
Well
apart from the obvious components, things like transport, both public
and vehicle hire to see and meet the experts, insurance to cover the
children out-and-about as well as the balloon itself. This will also
sometimes cover snacks and warm drinks if we are to go out observing
with local astronomy clubs at night time.
Who Is Running The Project?
Matthew
C. Applegate / Pixelh8 the founder of Creative Computer Club and
CCC4Kids will be drawing on his vast range of experience to help the
group design, build, launch and document the project. His previous
experience includes working with Institutions like the Institute of
Astronomy, Cambridge and organisations such Rewired State, the British
Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and The National Museum of
Computing to deliver engaging learning opportunities for children and
adults alike. Additionally Matthew is currently researching for his PhD
in Educational Technology and will be donating his time and skills for
free to the project.
Additional help and information will be
sought from the "Orwell Astrological Society", "UKHAS", and the
"Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge" but these are yet to be confirmed.
Great! When Are We launching?
Well
that is of course dependant on successful funding, weather and
availability of the organisations and specialist individuals. The short
answer is looking like the end of summer early autumn at the safest and
most suitable time for a successful mission.
