Anasphere's primary educational goal is to provide educators and students with the means necessary to learn about important meteorological, atmospheric, and environmental concepts through the use of hands-on and minds-on activities. We believe that a better understanding of these topics is achieved through active learning. We are striving to make that possible through the development of instruments and educational materials.
The surrounding atmosphere and environment are complex and dynamic systems that are constantly in a state of change. Monitoring and documenting these changes in a classroom setting can be challenging tasks for educators and students. The Anasphere scientists and educational staff are working to provide educators and students with the necessary means to actively learn about weather, climate, the atmosphere, and the environment. Our instruments are small and easy-to-use, allowing students and teachers to generate their own data, rather than relying on "textbook" numbers! These data can then be used in fun lessons and activities allowing students to get a firm grasp on the many educational concepts embedded in each activity! For example, our AnaSondes are capable of measuring temperature, pressure, and humidity in the atmosphere up to altitudes of 35,000 feet when flown with a large party balloon.
Using the AnaSonde data, students can discover how pressure and temperature change as the AnaSonde flies higher and higher. Students can also develop or improve graphing skills and discuss what might make humidity vary throughout the AnaSonde's flight. Of course, because all of our data is transmitted via radio, the students can learn and practice interpreting Morse code, a much forgotten, but very historically significant system!
Most AnaSondes also include extra input channels, so student-built experiments can be easily added to the basic AnaSonde sensor package. We will be providing an expanded selection of such experiments as they are developed and tested by us.
We are also actively involved with universities throughout Montana. Dr. Bognar continues in an advisory role with the Montana State University BOREALIS (Balloon Outreach, Research, Exploration, And Landscape Imaging System) program, for which he was Flight Director for two years. Anasphere also helps schools with launching AnaSondes as well as coordinating other flight opportunities.