The primary purpose of this project is to create a functional prototype that demonstrates how high-altitude balloons can be leveraged for environmental monitoring and climate research. By equipping our high altitude balloon with sensors for CO₂, aerosols, and infrared temperature variations, we aim to address critical gaps in pollution tracking and its environmental effects.   To make this project a reality we need funding. Our anticipated budget is less than $1,000, since we have a simple one unit payload design. In comparison, other high altitude balloons usually cost over $5,000. We have applied to the George W. Housner Student Discovery Fund to hopefully get the financial resources we need for this project.