Articles and Stories
Here are some published articles and stories that describe the classroom activities of students who are on the air with amateur radio, studying weather science or electronics, building and programming robots. launching balloons and transmitting telemetry data and learning about wireless technology through amateur radio and the resources provided by ARRL's Education & Technology Program.
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Alabama High Schools Successfully Launch High Altitude Balloon
April 2011 - The balloon was launched from the St Clair County Airport in Pell City, Alabama into a brisk wind at 2PM on April 2. The balloon carried a variety of experiments ranging from materials, plastic sticks, silly putty, several varieties of seed, batteries, film and cameras, radio location equipment and a radio beacon announcing the
balloons flight, as well as a collection of worms.The plan was to have it travel up into the sky, about 100,000 feet, where the balloon would almost reach outer space, pop and return to earth by parachute — well, that was the plan.
“It did not go as planned,” said Michaela Young, an earth and space science teacher and sponsor for the Pell City High School Ham Radio Club. “It basically got caught in the jet stream.”Having done one previous balloon launch from Huntsville, last Saturday, Ed Tyler KI4GKS and his charges launched a balloon carrying data transmission equipment. Prior to the launch he had maybe 10 students interested in studying for their license; after the launch, he has maybe 45 studying to obtain an operator’s license.
The balloon ultimately attained an altitude of 90,000 feet, moving upward of 150 mph. It’s entire flight was tracked on a PC hooked to a ham radio.
The role of Ham Radio was major. Amateur Radio provided the tracking technology, APRS, Domino, Hellschreiber and CW. The radio transmitters were operating on VHF 2 transmitters, HF, 1 transmitter. The Coosa Valley Amateur Radio Association provided fund raising and technical support.
For videos and more photos visit the Pell City High School Radio Club website.
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Olde Towne Middle School Anticipates Near-Space Balloon Launch
A group of students from Olde Towne Middle School (OTMS) in Ridgeland, Mississippi is preparing for a trip to space -- or as close as they can get. The OTMS Radio and Technology Club, along with the school’s Science Team, are planning a near-space balloon launch......
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Sun Shines on the Granite Bay Montessori Shack
Students designed a solar power system for their station.
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Blast Off! Space Day at West Side Elementary
Here's a portion of the article...
"It was refreshing to see science integrated so successfully with the entire core curriculum. As Dr Ahlgrim notes, “This simulation is such a great example of the power of applied learning for our students. The applications of math, science, physical fitness, problem solving, team building and leadership are so evident in this simulation. The realization that many of the skills that are developed in classrooms everyday are the same skills that our NASA heroes need to explore our solar system is really pretty fantastic.”
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The Next Gen Hams: Its Elementary
Fourth grade students at Boulder Hill Elementary prepare for an ARISS contact and learn a lot about radio communications with the help of their local Amateur Radio club.
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Wilson High Hams Build an EmComm Team
Wilson High School teacher, Devon Day KF6KEE in Long Beach, CA receives resources and support from ARRL and the local Amateur Radio community to license, train and engage students in the local ham radio emergency
communications infrastructure. Read more about their activities:
Wilson High Teen Applies Electronics/Ham Radio Skills to Assist City Disaster Communications
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Ham Radio 101 at Granite Bay Montessori
Students roll up their sleeves to build their own tranceiver, antenna and explore robots too!
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Should Learning Be This Much Fun?
Students at Whitney Elementary explore ham radio. The verdict is: FUN!
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High Frequency Learning at Andover Middle School
"During the past five years, students in our amateur radio club and class have sent and received Morse code messages, assembled and soldered circuit boards, designed and built antenna systems, and used computer programs to analyze radio communications problems. They have also searched for hidden transmitters (called "fox hunts"), helped launch baHoons resembling weather balloons with a transmitter as a payload, and assisted in our county storm-spotting weather program."
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School Teacher Sheila Perry, N0UOP, Blasts Off With $155,000 of Grant Money
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ETP Grant Helps Create High School Ham Course
The ARRL and Unviersity High School in Glenwood, WA joined forces to bring Amateur Radio to students. Over the course of 8 years, 93 students earned a total of 112 licenses, including four Amateur Extra class licenses.
