National ARRL Program for School Teachers
/A local Ohio teacher was selected to attend the Amateur Radio Relay League HQ to participate in the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI)
Local teacher Gabe Oberlin (K8PHP) recently travelled to the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) Headquarters in Newington, Conn., as he was selected to participate in the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI).
This professional development opportunity for educators is a technology focused, week-long course on electronics and radio communications. It works well for STEM teachers looking to update their knowledge and collaborate with colleagues from around the country.
All expenses are paid by ARRL and participants are given a significant package of supplies and books worth hundreds of dollars to use in their classrooms.
Several of the participants are amateur radio enthusiasts (hams) like Oberlin, but it is not required to be a practising ham to qualify for TI.
Oberlin was first introduced to amateur radio while a student at Antwerp High School by math, chemistry and physics teacher, Ed Hohenbrink (N8IZL). It wasn’t until years later, after he had been teaching for more than a decade, that Oberlin was reintroduced to ham radio.
He received a grant to purchase the supplies to participate in the Drones in Schools program. After-the-fact he learned that one of the requirements to legally operate the first person view (FPV) drones was that the teacher or coach had to have an amateur radio license. Getting his license opened a whole new world for him.
