As part of the Hoosier Young Amateur Radio Working Group, that was established in
December of 2000 ,with goals to establish networking relationships throughout Indiana in
areas of education and special interest youth groups, Jim Rinehart, K9RU
emailto:k9ru@arrl.net and Terry Adams W9GRZ , emailto:adamsT@tce.com  Committee
Chairs of the HSEF project , were able to locate funding  for Awards and offered them to
the (HSEF) group for this years competition. 

In February the work group decided to give the (HSEF) a test run to see if there would be
any possible networking relationships to improving our amateur radio numbers through
school projects and to help the work group more closely define any appropriate  projects
or programs .

Judging for this entire event ; directors and hosting staff are all done by volunteers,
approximately 45 in all. These folks donate their time and energy to making a very
successful program for the Hoosier schools, teachers & students. 
Sounds like a common thread with ham radio projects!?.
Judging the competition for our INARRL awards was John Grino KF9UH, 
Dennis Young W9CYU, Jim Rinehart K9RU & Chuck Crist W9IH.

Competition Awards are broken into several categories: 
Science Foundation of Indiana scholarships...Teacher Appreciation....
University Scholarship awards....
Other Awards( Thompson multimedia inc.) and Special Awards.

Indiana American Radio Relay League Awards were given under special awards category.
There were Printed manuals from HQ in Newington donated for each of our selectees plus
the following Cash  Awards donated by Indiana Amateur Radio groups.

Junior Division by: Indianapolis Communications & Technology Expo (Hamfest)
Senior Division by: Thomson Amateur Radio Club.
Finalist Division ,1st award by: Grant Co. Amateur Radio Club.
Finalist Division, 2nd award by:  Indianapolis Communications & Technology Expo (Hamfest)

This year for the first time , Indiana Ham clubs presented Four (4) awards to Electronic
and Amateur related (HSEF) participants. Award were presented by Dennis Young W9CYU  and Chuck Crist W9IH, representing the Indiana ARRL section.

At the Awards ceremony on Saturday (MC).. Mr. Gerald Rosesener, Directors Katie
Gilmore and Dr. William Gilmore presented approximately $19,000 in awards and
scholarship to winners as a packed auditorium looked on. For the first time attendee, either
student or parent; this is a very goosebumps time in the event.!.. 

Winners with common names like John, Steven and Auna; creating ,not so common projects
with  names like," The effect of stray voltage on the conditioning and regeneration of planaria" by Auna Duke (7th grader) or "Improving the performance of  Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters to meet requirements for spacecraft propulsion"  by Spencer DeSanto (HS Jr.) which caused many to do a double take. 
Student , John Damalas ,a senior from Elkhart, IN did his  project on "Production of analog motion in stepper motors using increased moment of inertia and tandem motor systems". His approach would make any amateur radio Homebrew contest; easily!. 
And "Safety and cell phones", by Steven Kady (;HS Jr) from Greentown IN. 
These were only a few of the outstanding projects on display during the two 
day conference.

During  conference ARRL handouts and Jim Reinhart, K9RU's ; 
"Ham Radio in the Classroom" article were on display for students, teachers and administrators to view and take home. It was noted in a brief group discussion that our overall impact was very successful and many contacts were made at the parent and teacher levels. Students had lots of questions about Ham radio, keeping the representatives busy with explanations. 

Results: Outstanding event!, Amateur Radio was well represented and received on a high note from Director Bill Gilmore, "We have your number and want your group back next year"...

" Great job and congrats to all participating students and special thanks to the Hams".

By: Chuck Crist, W9IH