Eighth graders are constructing their own antennas in a new unit focusing on amateur radio, or as it’s more commonly known ham radio. Along the way, students are learning more than the obvious skills of assembling a device. They are unlocking valuable life lessons as they troubleshoot, problem-solve and find solutions together. Beaverton Education Foundation support is bringing these hands-on activities to middle school students across the district.
BEF partnered with Eric LeMoine, a BSD teacher on special assignment, to integrate ham radio experiences into middle school FutureLabs, a program designed to give students opportunities to explore trades and different career paths before they begin high school.
Amateur radio assignments offer a preview into radio technology, and for some, may lead to STEAM-focused career choices or future involvement in the larger amateur radio community. Ham radio is over a century old, but is still used today to create maps and communicate during emergencies and socially, even as far away as the International Space Station.
BEF’s support made this journey possible, rallying generous individual donors and organizations, including the American Radio Relay League, Amateur Radio Relay Group, Inc. / K7RPT, the Oregon Tualatin Valley Amateur Radio Community Services and First Tech Federal Credit Union. Together they contributed $6,000 that BEF used to support ham radio experiences in nine middle schools.
“Thanks to BEF support, in 1994 I was able to establish the district’s first internet connection,” said LeMoine. “Since then I’ve seen BEF’s funding bring innovative, STEAM-focused opportunities to more kids than we will ever know. I can easily say, I would not be where I am today without their support.”