By launching a balloon into the stratosphere, we wanted to link all the STEM subjects taught at the three participating schools. The project, culminating in the spectacular launch of the balloon in the schoolyard, was designed to spark interest in scientific theory and practice, which is important for communicating the EU's environmental goals. In science, work is often carried out internationally, with English as the working language. This was simulated in the project, creating an international learning experience that also included communicating the results to the school community and interested parties from the press and the school's political environment.
The specific objective of the balloon project was to measure environmentally relevant data in the stratosphere using a balloon, appropriate measuring instruments and microcomputers, and prepared experiments. This experimental setup alone documents the correspondence to the selected horizontal goal: Environment and fight against climate change. These measurements raise participants' awareness of environmental pollution. The intention is to use this awareness to support the fight against climate change, in line with the goals of civic engagement, common values and participation. We assume that our participants will be able to become active not only privately but also, for example, in NGOs, based on their own experiences gained from self-organised and self-conducted studies. The descriptions above thus clarify the connection between political bodies, research and practical implementation in a social context. The implementation of theoretical knowledge into professional practice (organisation of the balloon project, teaching IT, chemistry, biology) in the context of various training programmes contributes to innovation in vocational education.