The October skies over a Greenfield Indiana High school were filled
with anticipation
and excitement as fifteen young students and Amateur radio operators
form the
Hancock county ham club awaited the arrival of the International Space
Station "Alpha"
and US astronaut Frank Culbertson KD5OPQ.
Approximately three years ago; Greenfield Central High school technology
teacher
Gary Wynn approached a couple of Indiana Ham operators with the concept
of
introducing Amateur radio as a non credit course to students of Greenfield
Central High.
This would have to be done by coupling tech education programs and
ham radio for
students.
Thanks Gary Stouder,K9SG and Bob Simcox, AA9XJ took on the challenge
and added
a little more to the idea; They wanted to teach a starter course on
Satellite
communications and when the students were ready, scheduled a contact
with astronauts
on the international Space station as it passed over Indiana.
This project was directed by Gary, K9SG; while Bob, AA9JX took on the
course
preparation and presentation for the High School students. Word spread
among the
Middle school in Hancock Co of this high tech, leading edge teaching
concept and Gary
7 Bob were ask to extend the curriculum to include two middle schools;
Maxwell and
Greenfield elementary schools.
During the past year ; with determined support from the Hancock county
education
community and the outstanding contributions of many central Indiana
Hams; especially
the Hancock county ham club, twenty Indiana students were introduced
to Ham radio,
Satellite communications technology and most of all , made personal
contact with a US
orbiting astronaut. Not something of a normal everyday classroom occurrence.!
"Greenfield Central H.S. Technology class all Hams".
The five students from the Greenfield Central High school led the way
during the past
year as they learned about satellites and studied for their Amateur
radio license. While
the elementary students didn't acquire ham license; it was very clear
during the event
that all were very interested in ham radio.
"Elementary Schools Maxwell & Greenfield participants".
Approximately 35 parents, teachers and school administrators attended
the one and a
half hour presentation, which took place in the technology classroom
of the high school.
At approximately 2:44 pm on October 16th, Frank Clubertson returned
the first call from
project leader Gary Stouder. The room filled with excitement and the
next 14 minutes
were very busy as the students each took turns asking a question about
the International
space station, life in space and other various topics. Each student
talked directly to
astronaut Clubertson ; while their classmates looked on with anticipation
of their turn on
the ham radio.
"Space Station tracking software provides location on Map
display for the students during the orbit pass and contact".
This was one of the best coordinated contacts that I have ever witnessed
and the
interaction of the ISS crew and the students was outstanding...
"ISS Tracking up close".
A project of this caliber takes many hours of planning and dedication...not
to mention the
30-40 volunteers that are in the wings or behind the scenes making
sure that all goes
with out a hitch...
Greenfield High school holds Ham radio classes for the community; while
offering the
technology course to High school students in hopes that it will draw
potential future tech
education participants from the elementary ranks when those student
get to High school.
ARISS stands for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station...
this is made
possible by efforts from the ARRL and cooperation with NASA.
Reference links:
IRSS http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://www.rac.ca/ariss.htm
Dr Gary Stouder, K9SG garystouder@home.com
Gary Wynn gwynn1@hotmail.com
Bob Simcox, AA9XJ r-simcox@home.com
Article By; Chuck Crist, W9IH |