In December 2011, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications for the ARRL’s Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding instructional resources valued at nearly $2000 to two schools. More than 525 schools across the country have received support from the ETP in the form of equipment, curriculum and resources, as well as teacher in-service training through the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. Applications for equipment and resource grants are accepted twice each year; application deadlines are May 1 and November 1. Beginning in February 2012, the ARRL will begin accepting applications for 2012 summer sessions of the Teachers Institute.

A central goal of the ETP is to develop a foundation of wireless technology literacy among America’s teachers and students. It employs Amateur Radio to explore radio science and electronics and provide hands-on activities that engage students’ minds and imaginations, opening doorways into math, science and technology curriculum topics, as well as other core curriculum areas such as geography and language arts.

ETP Grants

ETP grants are designated for school radio stations and are awarded to those schools that provide a plan to use Amateur Radio as part of an enrichment program and/or as part of in classroom learning. The Executive Committee chose not to award any ETP grants this round.

Progress Grants

The purpose of the ETP Progress Grant is to offer modest resource support to those teachers who are currently using Amateur Radio in their classrooms as an instructional tool and who need additional resources for specific purposes. The following schools received Progress Grants:

Polaris Career Center, Middleburg Heights, Ohio: Building on the curriculum of the Teachers Institute, the applicant -- a graduate of the ARRL’s Teachers Institute -- wants to integrate the Five-Building Blocks and Modulation/Demodulation Demonstration boards into the schools electronics units to instruct the science of radio. The equipment will allow for direct student exploration of those concepts.

Canyon Owyhee School Service Agency, Wilder, Idaho: This teacher asked for resources to start a basic electronics curriculum in her school. She requested copies of the ARRL Basic Electronics Course Kit, and will also be provided with a radio kit to provide hands-on electronics training. ARRL staff will also encourage her to attend an upcoming Teachers Institute.