ARISS
Gets the Spotlight at Science Teachers Gathering
 "Big
Project" pilot school teacher Jim Kuhl, N2STK, of Central Square Middle School
in New York (left) and ARRL Big Project Coordinator Jerry Hill, KH6HU, staff
the NASA booth at the National Science Teachers Association convention March
27-30 in Philadelphia.
|
NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 3,
2003--Student-to-astronaut communication via ham radio got a boost last week
from ARRL Education and Technology Project Coordinator Jerry Hill, KH6HU,
during the National Science Teachers Association national conference. Hill
helped to staff the NASA booth during the gathering March 27-30 in
Philadelphia.
"My function at the conference was to sign up
teachers for the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
program, plus represent the ARRL and talk up ham radio," Hill explained. "We
signed up about 200 teachers and got them on the list. It can take over a year
to get a contact date, but it's well worth it."
Accompanying Hill at the Philadelphia
Convention Center was ARRL Education
and Technology Program teacher Jim Kuhl, N2STK. Kuhl is a "Big Project"
pilot program teacher at Central Square Middle School in New York. "Jim was a
big help," Hill said. "He's made an ARISS contact before and had Amateur Radio
right in his classroom. Having him there lent tremendous credibility to the
program."
 Jim
Kuhl, N2STK, talks up ham radio with a science teacher at the NASA booth. |
During the NSTA gathering, more than 14,000
secondary school instructors had a chance to learn
about ARISS, an international project with participation by ARRL, AMSAT and
NASA. Among other benefits, ARISS provides an opportunity for students to talk
directly with crew members of the International Space Station (ISS)--a unique
educational experience. ARISS also is responsible for the Amateur Radio
equipment at NA1SS, the first permanent ham radio station in space onboard the
ISS.
 Jim
Kuhl, N2STK, assists as teachers at the NSTA national convention sign up their schools to get on the list for future ARISS contacts.
|
A former industrial arts teacher, Hill said
the teachers he spoke with were very enthusiastic about the ARISS program,
especially once they realized that direct contact with the ISS was a real
possibility. "They get pretty excited at that point," he said. "It just blows
their minds."
Hill says he hopes more Education and
Technology Program pilot school teachers will be able to join him in the
NASA-sponsored booth at future conventions. In the future, he'd also like to
see students demonstrate Amateur Radio.
Page last modified: 02:12 PM, 03 Apr 2003 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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