Presented By: Kyle Schaefer, KC9SDK

 I am married with 2 daughters, 1 in first grade and the other in 3 rd grade.  The oldest, Emma, is currently studying for her Technician license.  I have been an a HAM since April 10,  I have been an EC in Winnebago County for 1 year.  Professional background is in Biomedical Engineering and I work at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh.

 Amateur Radio provides integration of technology, math, science, geography, writing, reading and speaking through hands-on application of these concepts either individually or in a group.

 Amateur Radio encourages investigation and experimentation as a basis for understanding technical subjects.  Amateur Radio promotes understanding of a variety of communications techniques: voice, various digital techniques, Morse code, Amateur Television, as well as communication by using satellites and even bouncing signals off the moon.

 Amateur Radio encourages public service through the links with state and federal disaster preparedness agencies.  Amateur Radio holds few roadblocks for people with disabilities. Many people who are physically challenged or visually impaired are able to participate in communicating with simple adaptive devices. Those with hearing impairments can even use digital modes like RTTY.

 Amateur Radio offers a platform for life- long-learning through an active hobby that encourages competition in contesting, spreading international goodwill through friendships developed over years of communicating and advancement in technology by experimentation.  BUT……..

 “Standardized” testing and its tie to funding has also led to the creation of a “standardized” curriculum that offers little flexibility for teachers.  Lack of human technical resources with knowledge of the subject matter (this is US!!!)  Other technologies offer more flexibility with less fuss (Skype, Google Voice, Etc.)

 Fear of the unknown. (RF Radiation)  Who will train the teachers?  Precedence ( our heritage working against us.)  Budget Cut$  WI has 2300 K-12 schools, only 5 currently use Amateur Radio as a regular part of their curriculum. That is 0.2%!!!

 VOLUNTEER!!! (background checks may be required in some school districts)  Visit the child’s classroom on special days (career day, show & tell, etc.)  Offer to help with special demonstrations for weather units or science units on sound or waves.  Getting involved with teachers can help gain support from within the school.

 If you, as a parent or grandparent, believe technology oriented programs, like robotics, science competitions or Amateur Radio, would be a valuable part of your children’s school curriculum, you need to communicate this to your school board and administration.  And if you do get support from your local educators — then what?  Get support from ARRL……

 Established in 2000  In 2004 the Teachers Institute (TI) was created to train educators how to use the developed curricula in their classrooms.  In 2008, the curricula was expanded to include Amateur TV and radio astronomy.  Grants are available for teachers to attend the TI and to schools for equipment. Application deadlines are November 1 and May 1 of each year.

Teachers who attend the Institute experience hands-on learning with project kits such as a seismometer, a 24-hour clock and a Boe-Bot® robotics kit. But a Teachers Institute isn’t all classroom work. They also get plenty of hands-on experiences they can turn into science and engineering activities that will fascinate students.

 Communication arts, Language arts  Mathematics: Algebra, Geometry, Business math, Scientific notation  Social studies, World studies, Government  Computer science  Science, Physics  Electronics technology

 Foreign languages  Graphic arts  Industrial arts

 Activities that teachers have initiated in their classrooms include:  Using weather imagery gathered by the students for environmental studies.  Using TV remotes to control simulated "smart homes".  Radio Direction Finding (RDF) activities to study how naturalists track wildlife.  Geography lessons using QSL card (postcards collected from ham contacts around the world).  A school wide space exploration curriculum including radio stations to receive signals from satellites in space.  Talking to astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

 5th Graders at Sister Lakes Elementary School in Michigan watch, live from their classrooms, images of the remnants of Hurricane Ida received from satellite NOAA 17 on November 11, 2009.

 Radio contacts between schools, including school competitions during the School Club Round-up, a nation wide ham radio contest for schools.  Using radio in ESL classrooms to listen to live broadcasts from countries that use the languages as their native tongue.  Applying Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID) technology.  Basic and advanced robotics and RF based sensors on-board roving robots.  Integrating space, radio, and robotics in a Mars Lander simulation.

 Using radio and electronics to develop and control underwater submersible vehicles for exploration.  Receiving and interpreting satellite telemetry.  Building and using a radio telescope to explore the fundamentals of radio astronomy.  Using GPS and APRS systems to track high altitude balloons and simulated search and rescue activities.  Building and soldering electronic kits.  Living radio history by building and using crystal radios.

Receiving and studying naturally generated radio signals. Using VLF signals to study sudden ionospheric disturbances of the ionosphere. Programming and using microcontrollers to interface and control electronic devices and sensors. Using EchoLink and IRLP resources to explore the connections between the Internet and radio systems for world-wide communication activities. Using ATV to connect students with video sharing of classroom activities. Learning about public service through school based emergency communications programs.

 Explained the tools and technology used by storm spotters and forecasters for a second grade science unit on weather.  Provided sound files for music unit on rhythm and music (Digital mode audio)  In process of trying to setup an ARISS contact for the Space unit later this year  Waterfall display “Art”  Be creative…..

You may be a wizard at Amateur Radio, BUT… are YOU really the best person for the job?  Do you have teaching experience?  How much do you know about the local school system?  How polished are your public speaking skills?  If they start asking questions, will you have the answers?  Can you summarize Amateur Radio to a non-ham in under two minutes?  Who is going to be with you?  Do you have a history in local politics that might help or hurt?  All of these questions and more should be considered in choosing the right person to make an approach to school leaders in the community.

Situations vary by community, but there are several aids to help prepare you. 1. Be sure you review the materials provided to prepare you on the website resource page for outreach to teachers and schools at including “Frequently Asked Questions: How to Approach Your Local School,” and the background articles. 2. Be familiar with the Education & Technology Program (ETP), including the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI) and the ETP resource materials. You’ll find all of this information accessible at

Situations vary by community, but there are several aids to help prepare you. 3.In addition to this preparation, look over for general information. 4.Consider taking the PR-101 course ( ). This provides good training for presentations to the public.

 Do not overwhelm the audience with your own personal achievements. They don’t care and it gets off the main topic. It’s about them – not you.  Do not use too many technical terms. They will probably not understand you and will just tune you out.  Do not use “ham slang.”  Do not assume that everyone in your audience even knows what Amateur Radio is. Many will not know.  Don’t forget to watch your audience’s “body language.” It will tell you a lot.

Thank you for your attention! Sources:  ARRL Website   ARRL ETP Director DEBRA JOHNSON, K1DMJ  WIAC