ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P (standing), presents details of The Big Project for members of the Field and Educational Services Staff at ARRL Headquarters. [ARRL Photo]
NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 7, 2000--Before it's even officially off the ground, "The Big Project"--the educational initiative of ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP--already has attracted a few substantial donations in addition to several smaller ones. The project, known formally as "The ARRL Amateur Radio Education Project," is aimed at providing a turnkey Amateur Radio curriculum at the middle school level plus resources and equipment to bring it to life for youngsters.
"Without asking we've already received approximately $125,000 for the project," Haynie said. "They believe in this project so much they are willing to donate to it in sizable sums. Haynie has been courting corporate dollars and seeking foundation grants for the project.
So far, the project has received two substantial donations of stock. The donors wish to remain anonymous. Since the ARRL is a 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax deductible--at the appreciated value in the case of securities.
"This tells me people are very serious about this initiative," Haynie said.
In addition, the ARRL Foundation has pledged $50,000 in start-up funds for the project. A formal check presentation is scheduled for the January ARRL Board of Directors meeting.
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ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P (standing), presents details of The Big Project for members of the Field and Educational Services Staff at ARRL Headquarters. [ARRL Photo] |
As conceived by Haynie and under the guidance of ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, the ARRL Amateur Radio Education Project will work directly with teachers who use Amateur Radio as a teaching strategy in the classroom. "The goal is to improve the quality of education for kids by providing educationally valid techniques involving Amateur Radio for teaching all sorts of subjects--science, geography, languages, speech," Craigie said. "Kids get the hobby of a lifetime and preparation for good careers--that's the ultimate goal."
But, as Craigie points out, getting teachers to require kids to earn an Amateur Radio license is not a fundamental program objective. "Becoming licensed should be something kids choose, because ham radio excites them, not just another thing you have to do to pass the fifth grade." Craigie said some kids may decide to get their tickets, and some teachers may decide that offering a full-fledged license course meets their educational objectives. "That would be great, she says, "but schools don't exist to promote hobbies, not even ham radio."
Craigie said the project's philosophy is that Amateur Radio can be a "powerful resource" for teachers in attaining their educational goals--whether or not licensing is involved. "It's about improving education."
The Big Project also is a program for all children, not just the affluent or college-bound, Craigie said. "Children whose educational goal is a high school diploma or a technical school certificate, rather than a college degree, need to know that the wireless industry has good jobs for them," she said. "All of America's kids need the inspiration that Amateur Radio can provide." Craigie believes that ham radio in the classroom can help teachers encourage their students not only to think about interesting technical careers but "to reject harmful influences."
She also believes the time is ripe for The Big Project to flourish--especially given the recent launch of AO-40 and the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station effort. In addition, she says, restructuring has modernized licensing requirements and made it less complicated to get a ticket that can offer "a real cross section of Amateur Radio."
ARRL President Jim Haynie visits with newly licensed DeGolyer Elementary School students Jay, KD5LXN (middle), and Lyndsey, KD5LXP (right). [ARRL Photo] |
Growth in the amateur ranks could be a delayed effect of the program. "Some children will want to study for licenses immediately," she says. "Others will return to the idea in later life." If nothing else, she said, those exposed to ham radio through The Big Project "will remember Amateur Radio as a good thing that made school more fun."
"These kids who have good school experiences with ham radio will grow up to be our neighbors, zoning board members, and political officials," Craigie said. "Amateur Radio can never have too many friends. Just ask the hams whose neighbors and local officials are giving them trouble about their antennas!"
Haynie has been testing out some of the program's concepts at the DeGolyer Elementary School in the Dallas area. "The kids are like sponges," Haynie said of the sixth graders involved. "They learn it faster than we even want them to." Haynie said the youngsters he's worked with already are comfortable with the Internet, "but they enjoy ham radio too," he said.
Haynie has loaned some of his personal equipment to the youngsters to help them get started. Students at DeGolyer Elementary School in the Dallas area already have formed an Amateur Radio club (KD5MEW but a vanity call sign is in the works), and some students and two of the teachers there recently obtained their ham radio tickets.
Craigie says the project will incorporate the best of what's already being done with Amateur Radio in the classroom and will include an outreach effort to make the education community aware of the project. Efforts to "sell" the concept to schools will focus on what's in it for them, not for Amateur Radio. "If we go to schools and say, 'Let us tell you about something that will enhance your school's quality of education,' they just might listen," Craigie says, adding that local clubs can contribute to this effort.
President Haynie with DeGolyer Elementary School students and teachers. Left to right, back row, Glen; Chris; Jim Haynie; Reba; Jasmine; teacher Sanlyn Kent, KD5LXO; Mary; and teacher Richard Aguilar, KD5LXM; middle row, Nick; Adam; Ben; Jay, KD5LXN; Lyndsey, KD5LXP; Justice; front row, Jaquoren, Megan and Kel. [ARRL Photo] |
"This is a growing, evolving project," Craigie explains. "We'll be adding in good, creative ideas." Once fully under way in a year or so, the program will offer a wide range of resources--including a "classroom bookshelf" of ARRL publications and an "on-line sourcebook" to assist teachers. In addition, the ARRL will offer modest "progress grants" to teachers already using ham radio in the classroom and in need of financial aid for specific purposes. "Radio lab handbooks" will provide an updatable core curriculum for students and teachers to use, Craigie explained.
Donations large or small from individuals and organizations targeted for The ARRL Amateur Radio Education Project are encouraged. Donations in the form of cash or securities may be sent to the ARRL Amateur Radio Education Project, c/o Chief Financial Officer Barry Shelley, N1VXY, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. For more information, contact Shelley bshelley@arrl.org; 860-594-0212, to discuss details.
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