High-altitude balloon projects for 2024 AP Biology students involve sending an experimental group in one of the balloon’s payloads for exposure to high radiation, low pressure, and low temperature. These experimental groups will be compared to the control groups that will remain on the surface of the earth. Various experiments will be conducted as indicated below to determine if exposure to extreme conditions has any effect on the following organisms’ metabolism or behavioral responses.

 

1. Physarum polycephalum will be used to see if there is any difference in its ability to travel through a maze to find the shortest path to food.
2. C. elegans will be exposed to chemicals to determine if the harsh environment will impact its ability to demonstrate positive chemotaxis.
3. Pyrocystis, a bioluminescent dinoflagellate, will be studied to determine if the amount of bioluminescence and/or luminosity has changed after exposure to the stratospheric environment. Euglena gracilis is being studied to see if exposure will affect its ability to change color.
4. Three different bacteria (E. coli k12, Bacillus coagulans, and Halobacterium sp. NRC-1) will be exposed to radiation to determine if any are more resistant to deleterious effects by measuring the density of the colonies after exposure.
5. Respiration rates of Zophobas moria, in its larval form, will be compared after exposure to the stratospheric environment.
6. Respiration rates of yeast cells will also be compared after exposure.

Tribolium confusum will be involved in a behavior study to determine if exposure to radiation will impact their ability to get to a food source beyond obstacles along their path.

After launching, the GPS connection was lost, leading to the balloon being missing for half a week. The Balloon was found at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Prince William County. The balloon was reported as a suspicious package by a golfer. The police found the Academies of Loudoun contact information and was able to get in touch with Mr. Croly. 

 

Written by Ms. Lohr & Edward Christopher