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 Previous: Winlink 2000 Helping with Southern Asia Disaster Communications |  Next: The Next Generation of CW Operators |
By Donna LaRoche
December 31, 2004
Dr Martin Bayes, AA1ON, introduced me to the wonderful world of ham radio not long ago. His keen interest in the hobby and kind willingness to share time with my first grade class has made a fine educational collaboration. I encourage all ham radio operators to consider visiting a school and making a difference in the lives of your local young learners. It's easy and fun!
You might wonder where to begin and what kinds of presentations work well with young children. I recommend bringing equipment for hands-on exploration with the students. Focus on personal ham radio experiences and areas of expertise whether they be public service, DXpeditions, contesting or construction. A pre-visit conversation with the classroom teacher will serve to identify areas to emphasize and the best presentation format.
Hands-on Hams
During the last two weeks of school, my first graders were treated to extraordinary visits by seven Amateur Radio operators. Phil Temples, K9HI, talked about Morse code, answered questions about telegraph keys and shared his story about participating in a research study at MIT involving tactile copying of Morse code. Dr Ariel Cohen, K9ERA, told the children about her first Morse contact with a woman in Alaska who had a moose eating strawberries in the backyard. She also highlighted her adventures with her husband and ham radio while vacationing on Cape Hatteras during the hurricane season. Phil and Ariel loaned our class their huge box of QSL cards, much to the delight of the children.
Dr Chuck Counselman, W1HIS, built a CW transmitter with the children--demystifying its form and function (see accompanying article). The HAMsters were thrilled to discover that they could receive the transmissions out on the playground. After each child had transmitted his or her name in Morse code, they all looked at DX QSL cards.
Bill McIninch, KA1MOM, and David Bodman, KD4CLJ, shared their interest and expertise with emergency communications, public service events, space communications and digital modes. They discussed and demonstrated equipment including: an FT-817 transceiver, screwdriver antenna, helical antenna for satellite work, a Yagi for foxhunting, portable quad for 2 meters, J-poles, a bug and an electronic keyer. In addition, they demonstrated APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) to show how computers can be used with ham radio.
Using a handheld radio and the Belmont (Massachusetts) repeater, the first-graders talked with mobile station W1PFX. Harold's front and back seats were filled with transceivers, assorted keyers, tuners and other accessories. From the car's trunk sprouted nine antennas Harold "found" his way to the school guided by some very excited children.
Dr Martin Bayes, AA1ON, was our final guest of the year. The children were thrilled to meet Dr Bayes because he was "our teacher Ms LaRoche's teacher!" Dr Bayes taught the children how to be scientific observers as they read the physical and cultural landscapes of QSL cards from several of his DXpeditions.
 Ms LaRoche's first grade class in Belmont, Massachusetts, and the toys they collected for homeless children in Florida. |
You Can Do It, Too!
My students and I were very fortunate to have such exceptionally talented and thoughtful ham radio operators visit our class. You could do the same thing. Some ideas to consider for a classroom visit include: basic electronic theory, explanations and demonstrations of radio equipment, showing QSL cards (a huge hit with kids!), circuit construction projects and stories of all kinds (DXpeditions, public service, contests, overseas travel, intergenerational, etc.) Also: Morse code devices, APRS, anything to do with antennas and towers--the kids are fascinated with antennas and towers.
Ham radio is a wonderful vehicle to increase children's geographic knowledge, and it provides endless opportunities to learn about and experience the interrelationships between people and the environment. This increased awareness of location and better understanding of places around the world nurture a rich appreciation for unique cultural connections near and far.
Dr Martin Bayes and Natasha Bochkov, Belmont Public Schools Webmaster, worked tirelessly with me to develop our educational Web site, "Welcome to the Wonderful World of Ham Radio." We invite you to download and share any of our site content with your local teachers. Please remember to leave a greeting for my little HAMsters in the guest book, too!
| Previous: Winlink 2000 Helping with Southern Asia Disaster Communications | Next: The Next Generation of CW Operators |
