On March 15, Director of Technology Robert Rochte launched a small helium balloon carrying a GPS tracker from the school parking lot. Later that morning, four fifth graders (below, from left: Kate Krueger, Joe DiMauro, Will Scarfone and Robbie Triano) accompanied Robert to the MACUL conference at Cobo Hall, with the goal of displaying live tracking of the balloon. Unfortunately, the GPS tracker failed, so the students resorted to discussing their upcoming solar Montgolfiere (hot air balloon) project, using the display board fifth graders created last year. The balloon ultimately landed in New Brunswick - over 900 miles away!

The balloon launch was a kick-off for the 4/5 solar balloon project. Computer classes throughout April will focus on the real-world use of Excel to design a stratospheric solar Montgolfiere - and students will fly the balloon by the end of the month, using the Internet to track the balloon’s progress and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to document the project.