Hi everyone,
We’re getting ready to do something pretty incredible at Hutton.
Our Grade 4 class is preparing to launch a high-altitude balloon to the edge of space (~30,000 m) during the week of June 8th—with a student-built payload, onboard cameras, and our mascot Pearl the Rubber Chicken along for the ride.
This has become a full, hands-on learning experience—science, math, design, and problem-solving all rolled into one ambitious project. The students are fully invested, and we’re hoping to bring a bit of the wider SD51 community along with us.
How you can help:
Support the launch
- GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-pearl-to-space
- Or e-transfer (to avoid fees) via PAC:
treasurer.huttonpac@gmail.com
(Please note “Balloon Launch” or “Chicken to Space”)
Donate or lend equipment (big need)
- GPS tracker (for recovery)
- High-quality helium (pure helium, not party-grade)
- GoPro or similar camera
- Lightweight tech to record altitude or flight data
Have expertise?
If you have experience with navigation, outdoor recovery, electronics, or anything related, we’d love to connect.
Follow the journey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDIZEKzjqe8
If contributing directly isn’t an option, simply sharing the project—whether the GoFundMe or the video—goes a long way. The more people who see it, the more support and momentum we can build for the students.
This is a big swing, and part of the learning is taking on something real, with real challenges. We’re planning carefully, but there’s always a chance not everything comes back. Either way, the experience for students is already incredibly meaningful.
Thanks for taking a look, and for supporting in whatever way you can.
Kindly,
Greg Smythe
Grade 4 – J.A. Hutton Elementary