2021 LIFT Project

Application Deadline

Extended to November 20, 2020

Overview of Program

The LIFT Project is a multi-disciplinary outreach program, funded by the National Science Foundation, that brings together UW undergraduate students from science, engineering, and education backgrounds for the purpose of developing authentic K-12 scientific projects and curricula for high-altitude ballooning. Students will work in small teams and be paired with a partner teacher from a K-12 school in Wyoming. Each team will undertake a specific science- or engineering-related project, which includes: (1) designing and testing a balloon payload to be launched with a high-altitude weather balloon to near space (~100,000 ft above sea level), and (2) developing relevant curriculum, lessons, and activities. When finished, the teams will have the opportunity to carry out their projects with the students from their partner teacher’s classroom (in person or virtually), culminating in a high-altitude balloon launch in Fall 2021. Mentors will regularly meet with the teams to provide guidance, help with project design, and offer feedback.

Program Duration

Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters

Eligibility

Open to all UW undergraduate students. However, high priority will be given to sophomores and juniors majoring in the physical sciences, engineering, and education. Students must be enrolled during both the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters and should not be planning on graduating any earlier than May 2022.

What To Expect

• Students chosen for the program will be assembled into teams of three. Teams are typically composed of two science/engineering students and one education student. For education applicants, a STEM-related background is preferred but by no means a requirement (three of the five previous LIFT education students did not have STEM-related backgrounds).
• Each team will work together to brainstorm, develop, and carry out their own project focusing on either science- or engineering-related concepts. The projects will be aimed at K-12 classrooms, with a specific focus on the grade levels taught by the partner teachers.
• Teams will be responsible for designing and building their own balloon payloads from scratch. Depending on the scope of each project, the payloads may be fairly simple or perhaps more sophisticated.
• Teams will also be responsible for developing the curriculum for their project, which includes: (1) pre-launch lessons/activities intended to teach the concepts and prepare the K-12 classrooms for the launch, and (2) post-launch lessons/activities for follow-up or data analysis. The teams are expected to deliver (i.e., teach) these lessons/activities to the K-12 students during Fall 2021, either in person or virtually, in collaboration with their partner teachers.
• Teams should be present for and participate in all balloon launches associated with their project. (Note: the actual launches will be conducted by experienced LIFT Project staff members.)
• We will be recording videos and taking photos at various times throughout the project, especially during the classroom visits and balloon launches. LIFT students who appear on camera must consent to allow the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium to use any of these videos or photos on its website, social media platforms, promotional material, and other media related to the LIFT Project.

Responsibilities

• Students are expected to spend an average of 8-10 hours/week working on the project
• Students must be able to meet at least once per week with their teams and/or project mentors
• Some occasional travel is necessary, especially during Fall 2021. Students should be available to participate in several (about 4-5) multi-day trips during the program, for balloon launches and for in-person visits to their partner teacher’s classroom. If necessary, we can help students obtain university-excused absences.

Perks

• Students can earn a stipend of up to $2,250 ($1,125 per semester)
• All travel-related expenses (including meals) are covered
• Summer internships may also be available
• Looks great on a resume!

DISCLAIMER: Impacts from COVID-19

At this time, we are hopeful that COVID-19 will not have any significant impacts on the 2021 LIFT Project. However, if COVID-19 does end up leading to K-12 school restrictions (i.e., no visitors allowed) or a ban on UW-related travel during 2021, the LIFT Project will attempt to “go virtual” as much as possible. In this case, the LIFT teams will be responsible for modifying their lessons and activities so that they can be taught remotely. Balloon launches would likely be carried out in Laramie, with the K-12 students following along online. Again, we expect that the 2021 LIFT Project will carry on as planned with limited to no restrictions. However, any students who apply should understand that these possibilities exist and be prepared to work on the project virtually if necessary.