One thing young researchers learned during a balloon experiment Friday is that science can be unpredictable.

Gifted/talented students from Rathdrum joined with Sandpoint Middle School students and Gizmo-CDA to launch a 1,200-gram, helium-filled weather balloon 100,000 feet into near-space. They thought it would land somewhere in Worley sometime after noon, but the balloon led them on a wild chase of science farther than their trajectory had predicted.

"Being able to deal with the unknown, in and out of service, not being able to track it, then being able to track it again, it was such a learning experience in all different kinds of ways," said Barb Mueller, who founded Gizmo-CDA with her husband, Marty. "I think them having that experience rather than, 'Oh, we got it,' has turned out to be a better experience."

After ascending from the launch site by Diamond Lake — near Newport, Wash., — the tracker on the balloon updated several times and the flight seemed to be right on course.

As the balloon sailed higher, its attached communication technology went quiet. The Gizmo2Xtremes researchers, following by bus, thought it may have burst and landed west of Highway 95 near Elder Road.

But then, about an hour after the signal stopped, it picked up again several miles to the southwest of where it had last been located. Was it picked up and taken by someone? Did an unseen weather condition propel it on its journey?

"It was amazing, absolutely amazing," Mueller said. "What was really interesting is the kids were so excited about it."

The balloon tracker eventually stopped, indicating to the team that it had finally landed. They found it about 100 feet up in a pine tree near McCroskey State Park, south of Tensed.

"All around it was rolling hills and farmland," Mueller said. "We bushwhacked our way for a mile up and down through the woods and found it up a tree, quietly beeping. We have to find someone who can climb up or has a drone that can get it."

She said the kids are looking forward to discussing their findings and comparing their trajectory with the route the balloon ended up following.

Gizmo will prepare for another exciting balloon chase again in the spring.