Unfortunately, the goal of increasing the students’ interests in STEM education
and future careers was not obtained through this three-week project. The results from the
pre- and post- surveys produced insignificant changes that could neither support nor deny
an increased science or math appreciation. By moving the balloon launch to the end of
the academic school year, the instructors will have the entirety of the year to teach STEM
concepts while relating them to the future balloon launch. With such extended
preparation, the students’ level of STEM appreciation may rise when they realize the
material they are learning has real world applications.