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An interactive newsletter for schoolteachers using Amateur Radio as a teaching tool.
Each year NASA produces new educational products, which are used by NASA education staff at NASA-sponsored workshops and events. Electronic versions of these products are available on NASA Spacelink and may be printed and copied as needed. Limited quantities of the published versions may be available through the NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC) that serves your state. For more infomation on the Educator Resource Centers and materials available visit: http://spacelink.nasa.gov/Instructional.Materials/NASA.Educational.Products/.index.html
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Subject near to my heart, as this operator falls into the category of: Interested as a kid but not licensed until recently (well, discounting the CB `licenses' ?). Poured over the old Knight catalogs trying to understand what all these wonderful rigs could do in the 1960s. Sans a local elmer , like many the CB was the available radio for many years really unaware of the opportunities available to me in the amateur bands.
Worked some 3rd party DX with the club members while completing an engineering degree with a minor in education, but started new job, married, and had kids soon after. Finally, returned in a big way some 5 or 6 years ago when a visiting lecturer showed me his mini-TNC hooked to a new Yaesu VX-1 that had just come on the market. That was it, wanted to get everyone in my family into it as well - still working on that (GMRS for the [X]YL and kids at the moment). And today, wireless is one of the more fascinating and challenging areas for integration into Information Technology (IT) infrastructures.
Now why tell the story above? Because many of these kids also can benefit from a more concrete foundation in what radio communications technologies can do during these formative years. As it is, one growth area within the IT area now is integrating communications technologies and computing technologies. Many of the educational outreach programs, such as National Engineers Week we'll mention again below, don't seem to have significant effect unless participants are interviewed many years later.
Many of the former student members of PARC have returned to talk to me, several are very active on HF, many on VHF and UHF now. Shorter term, we have two high school kids who work with us because they too feel as though there is so much more they wish they had learned BEFORE going off to college. Neither expects to continue much until after college - though I've noted to Noah that he may find surprising flexibility in engineering labs as to what technologies a practicum or lab might employ ! So here they are helping out to bring that experience to other young kids just coming into middle school.
A summary: where have we had successes with PARC?
- with middle school kids, and even a bit younger, down to 4th grade I'd say, Foxhunting and all manner of variations on hunting, spying, and otherwise running around with a radio as part of it are a big hit. FRS fills the bill here, but nothing says a group of kids can't work with mixed technologies at a real public service event, eh ?
- kit building, and I mean simple kits. We had a lot of interest in building, you might have guessed, foxhunt transmitters ! Also as a prelude blinking LED kits and the like as most of the kids who do come to radio club DON'T have a class or other opportunity to get hands-on experience with electronics at all. You can imagine that soldering is not a real popular activity among science or applied science teachers ! Digital modes are of great interest to the younger hams and hams-to-be. Kits such as the RASCAL from buxcomm.com are a great one to make with the kids hooked up with area members not inclined to build such a device.
- computer/radio integration: APRS is a big hit. The Cybiko PDAs and APRS integration is what at least 3 of the current PARC members want to work on through the summer and into the fall. The Cybiko code still has some quirks for me, and the fellow who started this has released a couple of updates we are working with and enjoy using.
- community service: how many other activities can allow the academically astute, often retiring technically adept student to be a valued part of a community of many such people ? The Amateur Radio Emergency Services are full of such good people ! Get these kids on the ARES nets and into helping others using these skills they are acquiring ! School and many surrounding people lost power, and ability to communicate in the two ice storms this past winter, with that fresh in their minds on how useless many cell phones were, there is a better appreciation for the utility of such a station as is being rehabilitated at Phillips MS. Operator training and experience is invaluable and benefits from a more widely accessible HF resource .
- selling donated goods at hamfests to support their activities. PARC is self-supporting now, after all the many hours invested by local hams setting up the wonderful station at Phillips MS, I have gotten a lot of feedback from parents that this kind of activity spurs a bit more responsible behavior. Much of what has been earned this year will has gone to repair of the IC-821H satellite capable transceiver. Suffice it to say those who shouldn't have turned it on and left it when they did now understand that was an expensive mistake !
- consistent interaction with the kids involved. We continue to hold at least once-a-month meetings from a peak of once a week immediately before and after the ARISS contact, Using a listserv and bulletin board such as what we have accessible from rtpnet.org/parc, that helps keep the interest going in between meetings.
- support from the faculty and administration of the school hosting this activity. We were able to recruit a teacher of Career and Technical Education, Joe Brzezinski has been of great help and he is the club's faculty advisor since the retirement of Barbara Pedersen KE4JZM. The new principal at Phillips Middle School, Brent Norfleet, may have been skeptical after the founding teacher's retirement. Now with persistence and successful outside activities, we think he sees the value especially as we have pulled together a long-term project that could make his school a center of attention:
- a project or two to unify the school and AR community. One project underway is a remotely accessible HF station as depicted above. Eventually, the controls will be accessible remotely as a learning aid in other classes and perhaps eventually across the school district.
- a mechanism to tie in engineering or other technical career outreach programs. Mine is National Engineers Week, each year I get at least 4 other hams among the couple of dozen volunteers I coordinate, out into the middle schools and sometimes to older elementary students, including radio as part of demonstrated activities aimed at increasing general technical literacy among our young.
It is a challenge to keep such activity going, and I have to admit there have been times I have been tempted to let it go. But even some trying events such as loss of the 2m/70cm base station rig, and then starting the relocation from the retired teacher's space, the kids keep coming back. Several parents are really enthusiastic, and only one of them is a licensed amateur him or herself. So we are working to keep alive a tradition at our local middle school founded over a decade and a half ago by retired teacher Barbara Pedersen KE4JZM.
It's all been worthwhile not only in seeing some of these kids come out and operate on Field Day but in our own family, our eldest (pre-teen) daughter has become more actively involved as it peaks her curiosity about science and technology. She actually did well at a practice foxhunt and when the pre-schooler was at my side for the Jan Kids Day, some of the hamfests, and for part of Field Day, it has all worthwhile !
We look forward to a sharing of projects that work in this community forum and will share more of our experiences projects move along. Best to all,
Cheers & 73s de Mark W4CHL
PARC Technical Advisor http://rtpnet.org/parc
All should be Elmers to support and expand new and young members. Information about the craft should be spread. With growth comes protection for the hobby frequencies and provides service to others.
Still available from the ARRL is the 2002 issue of Ham Radio...Planning for the Future (item # 8551). The purpose of this publication is for the authors to share their ideas, thoughts and experiences in hopes that volunteer instructors, teachers and recruiters will gain valuable input for their own Amateur Radio classes, projects and recruiting events. Papers consist of topics written on ham radio recruitment and instruction, focusing on teaching Amateur Radio classes, getting new hams on the air, and recruiting new hams. Titles of interest to volunteer instructors, teachers and recruiters include "Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligence" by K4HMS, "Parkway School ARISS Activities" by KB0WVJ, "Tips of Starting a School Radio Club" by N7UJJ, and "Recruiting High School Hams" by KD5HAW. We hope these and other articles will help you discover fresh new concepts that you'll be eager to put to use.
2002 Ham Radio...Planning for the Future (164 pages) retails for $20.00 (plus $5.00 for shipping) and may be purchased through the ARRL. Checks and money orders can be mailed to ARRL, Field & Educational Services, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111, or order by phone with a credit card by calling toll free at 1-888-277-5289.
MSNBC is archiving the ARISS school radio contacts at:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/505064.asp
Teachers are those who use themselves as bridges, over which they invite their students to cross; then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own. nikos kazantzakis
The ARRL is happy to report the Amateur Radio Education and Technology Project (aka The Big Project) forges ahead. Fostered through the vision of ARRL's President, Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and Vice President, Kay Craigie, WT3P, and adopted by the Board of Directors, The Big Project works directly with teachers who wish to, or already, enhance their teaching through the use of Amateur Radio in their classroom. The goal is to improve the quality of education by providing an educationally sound curriculum focused on wireless communications. The project emphasizes integration of technology, math, science, geography, writing, and speaking, and social responsibility within a global society.
Accomplishing this goal involves Pilot Schools and local Amateur Radio Clubs working together to create a unique learning environment centered on wireless communications. The components of The Big Project will include: Classroom Bookshelf - a collection of ARRL publications packaged especially for classroom use; On-Line Sourcebook - with tips and examples of innovative ideas supplied by teachers for teachers; Radio Lab Handbook - lesson plans and hands-on activities for teachers use in their classrooms; Stations in Schools - providing schools with equipment for a station at the school; and Progress Grants for schools currently using Amateur Radio in the classroom.
Schools interested in applying for a Progress Grant or becoming a Pilot School should submit an application found at Web Site: <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp> to the following address.
Mark Spencer, WA8SME, Educational Project Coordinator ARRL Headquarters Field and Education Services 225 Main St. Newington, CT, 06111-1494 wa8sme@arrl.org
If you teach Amateur Radio license classes or just enjoy sharing ham radio and recruiting new hams, you may win $100.00 worth of free ARRL publications for your class or yourself.
Don't be shy about nominating yourself or someone you know for one of these awards!
ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year is presented to a volunteer ham radio instructor. ARRL Professional Instructor of the Year is presented to a paid, non-state licensed, instructor. ARRL Professional Educator of the Year presented to a professional teacher within a school system. ARRL Excellence in Recruiting Award presented to a ham that exemplifies outstanding recruiting enthusiasm and technique through demonstrations, H/R community service, etc. Complete information and nomination forms are available at http://www.arrl.org/ead/award/ . Completed forms must be sent to your Section Manager before January 31.
Teachers. Are you looking for a way to add some excitement to your curriculum? Want to spark an interest in Space? The ARISS program is well underway and very successful. We are gaining on the backlog of older applications. Now is an excellent time to submit your application in electronic format. To begin, please fill out an application online at http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/sarex-ap.html An Educational proposal MUST accompany your completed application. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Wolfgang, WB3IOS at jwolfgang@arrl.org
The ARRL Examwin is available for download from http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/software/
ARRL-registered instructors and school teachers can get an IBM-compatible software package, which includes ExamWin and Morse Academy. ExamWin (for Windows 3.1, 95, 98 or later) allows instructors to generate printed practice exams for Technician through Extra. Morse Academy (a DOS program), designed by Joe Speroni, AHØA, can be used for creating practice Morse code exams and for teaching code. Your students will enjoy using its many learning games at home and in class. The program will send Morse code to your computer's internal PC speaker, or a compatible sound card.
Please use your Members Only password when prompted. If you would like a hard copy of this program or you are not an ARRL member, EXAMWIN is available for $5.00 on a 3.5 floppy disk. You can order your copy by calling Linda at 1-860-594-0292.
