Prior to beginning this unit, the instructor must decide how to break up the students into the space agencies. To save time during the activity, we recommend forming the agencies and assigning roles to students beforehand based on the students’ strengths and interests. If instructors wish to allow the students to form their own agencies and pick their own roles, they can do so at the beginning of the activity.

Ideally, agencies will have a minimum of 6 students and a maximum of 10 students each. If an agency has fewer than 6 students, the following roles can potentially be eliminated (beginning with the least important): Marketing Representative, Research Scientist, Economist, Director. Hypothetically, an agency could consist of as little as one or two Engineers and one or two Computer Scientists, since those are the only roles actually required build the payload and shielding. However, we recommend that each agency have at least 4 students, if possible. Furthermore, if there are less than 8 students total in the class, we recommend removing the competitive aspect of the activity and putting all of the students onto one team.

The roles are as follows:

International Advisors

This is the class instructor(s). The International Advisors provide guidance to students, hold inventory of shielding materials to sell to the agencies, approve social media payments, and ensure the payloads are assembled properly and safely prior to launch. They are available to help when needed.

Director

The Space Agency Director oversees their team’s activities, keeps team members on task, approves of the purchase of shielding materials, and organizes and delivers presentations to update the class on their team’s progress. Ideal for students with excellent leadership and/or public speaking skills.

Number of students per agency:  1

Research Scientist

The Research Scientist provides research support for other members of the team, researches and helps choose materials to use for radiation shielding, helps determine best way to mount the payload items, and assists with data analysis after the flight. Ideal for students who excel at finding information and/or working collaboratively with others.

Number of students per agency:  1–2

Engineer

The Engineer helps choose materials to use for radiation shielding, designs and builds the shielding, helps test the payload operation prior to balloon flight, and assesses shielding performance after the flight. Ideal for creative students who like to build things and/or work with their hands.

Number of students per agency:  1–2

Computer Scientist

The Computer Scientist organizes and manages Arduino code, assembles the payload electronics and wiring, helps test the payload operation prior to balloon flight, and assists with data analysis after the flight. Ideal for students who are good with (or interested in) computers and/or like solving puzzles.

Number of students per agency:  1–2

Economist

The Economist manages their team’s budget, keeps track of spending and social media earnings, helps choose materials to use for radiation shielding, and oversees the purchase of materials from International Advisors. Ideal for a responsible student who is good with numbers or math.

Number of students per agency:  1

Marketing Representative

The Marketing Representative designs their team’s logo, creates and manages their team’s social media account or website, and helps the Director organize the team presentations. Ideal for creative or artistic students who are adept at social media or website development.

Number of students per agency:  1–2