Outreach Subgroup Description and Progress:

The ThinSat program provides universities, high schools, middle schools and elementary schools with a proper introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) based research to inspire future scientists and engineers to pursue a career in astronautics. Through the outreach program, the ThinSat project presents an opportunity each academic year for students and teachers to collaboratively participate in hands-on space science and engineering. The outreach subgroup for ODU's ThinSat 4 team is collaborating with Norview High School and is providing support to Lindenwood and Larchmont Elementary School.

Testing our low altitude balloon experiment for the elementary schools

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A major portion of the Outreach initiative consists of the FlatSat. The FlatSat is a configuration of different xChips that collect and record data such as temperature, pressure, altitude, UVA, UVB, and visible light. A set of instructions were created to provide future users with a simplified method of utilizing the FlatSat. A user manual was created for the set-up of the FlatSat, which includes setting up the xChips, computer setup, and trouble shooting as well as the use of the Virginia Space Data Dashboard. One goal for the outreach team is to create a portfolio of experiments that elementary school students could conduct with the use of their FlatSats. The team will also provide the students with data analysis tools.

Ground station

xChip configuration

Larchmont Elementary School students designing a box for the balloon experiment

Dee with balloons for size comparison

Excel sheet for elementary school students

Testing the xChips

Balloon test flight

Balloon experiment test run