This class will introduce students to the hobby of Amateur Radio, affectionately called Ham Radio. The course will be a one time class that talks about the history of the hobby, its use in emergency situations, how it has changed, what is required to become a licensed Amateur Radio operator, and even how it lets regular people talk to Astronauts. This class will include discussion of US history, Morse Code, the FCC, and some of the science and technology behind Amateur Radio Operating. I will introduce students to what is needed to begin their exploration into this fun for all ages hobby. This is not a licensure path class but will introduce what the licenses are and their basic requirements. This will introduce a fun tech-based extracurricular activity for all ages. Amateur radio introduces STEM skills and knowledge, along with connections to world history.

This class will use Nearpod for slides and activities students can follow along and participate with. This will also mean being able to access youtube videos in it. I will post the link to the Nearpod in the classroom within an hour of the class starting. The first 5-10 minutes of the class is on introductions, setting students up in Nearpod, and determining specific questions and topics about Amateur Radio students want to be answered, in addition to what I will already be covering. Then we will go over the history of Amateur Radio, its invention and development, the changes in technology and connection to World Wars and US policies. Students will then get to make their own QSL cards. This will then be followed by why is it called Ham Radio, what is it used for outside of just talking to people, connection to space exploration, emergency communications, and how it works. They will hear a conversation between an astronaut on the ISSS and an Amateur Radio Operator, hear a SkyWarn message, and listen to a clip of a conversation in Morse Code. They will learn about licenses today, some movies and tv shows ham radio is shown in, and be introduced to the bands hams use in radio communications. It will end with some activities for students on waves and a sample of some of the questions in the technician class license pool.

If you are taking this class from outside the US, feel free to let me know, so I can tailor the licensure info to your country.