Far Horizons

What is Far Horizons?

Far Horizons programs include camps for tweens, a workshop for teens, internships for high school and college students and opportunities for volunteers. Far Horizons offers a real world opportunity for students and the community to participate in science mathematics, physics and engineering challenges. Students of all ages have an opportunity to conduct hands-on scientific experiments alongside the Adler’s astronomy faculty. For more information, see the particular programs described below.

A Tribute to Steve Fossett

Far Horizons 2012 is dedicated to the memory of renowned Chicago adventurer and explorer Steve Fossett. Mr. Fossett held 115 world records or world firsts, as well as official World Records in five sports, before his death in 2007.

His love of flight led him to balloons. On the Spirit of Freedom, Steve Fosset became the first (and only) person to complete a solo balloon flight around the world in 2002. Previously, he had made the first balloon crossing of the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America, as well as the first ocean crossings of the South Atlantic, South Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In March 2006, Mr. Fossett completed the first solo non-stop airplane flight around the world. Following that record, he also made the longest non-stop flight in aviation history on the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.

Far Horizons engages young people by providing positive and personal hands-on experiences with science. In this way, Mr. Fossett’s legacy is a central part of the Adler Planetarium’s vision to inspire the next generation of explorers and adventurers.

Exploring the Edge of Space Camp

Be the scientist! This one-week summer camp for ages 11-13 engages children with hands-on control of a near space mission. The Adler offers two, one-week sessions in July.

Participants will have a start-to-finish role in launching their own balloon borne mission. After learning the basics of high altitude balloons, atmospheric conditions experienced throughout the flight and the challenges of near space exploration; experiments will be assembled and operated to address students’ questions. On launch day, the balloon and its payload are assembled with a team of campers who each have a role to fill. Using GPS tracking, students follow the balloon’s ascent and track the payload’s return to Earth for recovery - often hiking into the farmlands or forests of Indiana.

Learn more about our exciting summer camp program for teens.

Astro-Science Workshop

The Astro-Science Workshop (ASW) is a challenging program designed for high school sophomores and juniors in the Chicago area who have demonstrated exceptional interest and aptitude in science.

Sponsored by the Adler Planetarium and the National Science Foundation, the ASW originated over 40 years ago during the height of the space race and the Apollo program.

Created to encourage students to pursue careers in science, today it fulfills this goal by offering students the unique opportunity to work hands-on with scientific instruments and research-quality data.

Learn more on the Astro-Science Workshop page.

Undergraduate Internship Program

Join Adler Planetarium astronomers in the design, engineering and operation of advanced systems for our near-space balloon missions. The Adler Planetarium hosts undergrads for this multi-week summer internship. Interns will earn a stipend while learning valuable science and engineering skills.

The internships will be located at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in the Astronomy Department. Occasional field trips for the purpose of launching balloon missions will be conducted to Kankakee, IL and nearby recovery sites. Projects are designed, developed and tested under the mentorship of Adler astronomers.

Learn more about our Undergraduate Internship Program.

Far Horizons Volunteers

Join our crew of volunteer adventurers. Reaching near space and beyond requires a range of skills. From experts to enthusiastic amateurs with experience in electronics, engineering, aerospace and space science the most important quality of a Far Horizons volunteer is enthusiasm. You can learn new skills from others while sharing your knowledge with a team of near space enthusiasts.

Learn more on our Volunteer page.

Far Horizons Outreach

Want to establish your own High Altitude Balloon club? Far Horizons may be able to help. With our years of flight experience, we can assist your school or organization in establishing your very own near space program. Join us for a flight or we can arrange a visit from a Far Horizons expert. Exploring the stratosphere may be easier than you think.

Learn more by contacting Ken Walczak
kwalczak@adlerplanetarium.org

Far Horizons is directed by Geza Gyuk, Ph.D., the Adler Planetarium’s Director of Astronomy and a Senior Research Scientist at The University of Chicago; Mark Hammergren, Ph.D., Director of the Adler’s renowned Astro-Science Workshop and Karen Carney, Director of Education at the Adler Planetarium.