New England Sci-Tech, a STEM education center and makerspace in Natick, MA, is running a 12-month space science program for students in New England in grades 4-12. Amateur radio is part of this effort; in the last week of September 2022 (NASA determines the date and time 10 days out), students enrolled will have the opportunity to speak to an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) contact (“The BIG E Space Chat”). ARISS coordinators partner with educational groups in programs that involve education around space technology and research, as well as wireless technology and communication and radio science.
Some of the Space Science Education Program courses that have already started at New England Sci-Tech include:
- Amateur radio Technician level classes
- Model Rocketry Workshops
- Introduction to Morse code classes
- Introductory Mathematics for Modeling Rocket Flight
Upcoming classes/offerings include:
- Introduction to Basic Electronics
- Introduction to Arduino Electronics
- Air Powered Rockets
- Public Telescope Nights
The “Space Chat” will be held in the Arena at The Big E Exposition in W. Springfield, MA and those in attendance will learn more about the Space Science Club, background on amateur radio and ARISS and be able to listen in on the questions that the students ask the astronauts during the ~10-minute window during which the 2-way conversation is possible with the ISS.
All welcome!