ARRL East Bay Section

The Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI) is a week long, in-residence learning opportunity designed for motivated teachers and other school staff who want to learn more about wireless technology and bring that knowledge to their students. A variety of topics are covered during the 4 days of the TI including basic wireless technology literacy, electronics, and the science of radio; bringing space into the classroom; ham radio operation; introduction to micro controllers; and basic robotics.

The Teachers Institute is only the beginning of a participant’s exploration with wireless technology. The goal of the TI program is to equip each teacher with necessary foundational knowledge, and through hands-on learning, generate the inspiration for teachers to continue to explore wireless technology and adapt relevant content into their classroom instruction.

Teachers Institute opportunities are virtually free for the participants. The grant to attend a TI covers transportation, hotel, a modest per-deem to cover meals, instructional resources for the electronics, microcontroller, and robotics segments of the course, and a resource library of relevant ARRL publications.

The application to attend a Teachers Institute is very simple. Download and complete the application, indicating the dates you would like to attend, in order of preference. Send a cover letter on school letterhead, signed by you and a school administrator, along with the application, stating that you would like to attend.  Be sure to include contact information that is good during school and summer (phone number, address, e-mail).  Make sure the e-mail address(es) you provide (at school and/or at home) will accept e-mails from the ETP coordinator (mspencer@arrl.org). Mail the letter and application to Mark Spencer, Education & Technology Program Coordinator, at the address below.

The applications are reviewed, and as accepted, applicants are assigned to session preferences on a first-come, first-served basis.  With a class limit of 12 for each session of the Teachers Institute, don’t delay.  A $100 deposit is required to hold your place when you are accepted.

The Teachers Institute is only a part of the ARRL’s Education &Technology Program (ETP) and the resources that are made available to teachers. The ETP is based on 5 pillars:

1. development and free access to curriculum materials to help teachers teach wireless technology literacy,
2. grants of ham radio station equipment for establishing ham radio operations in schools,
3. grants of supplemental equipment to support and improve on-going school programs,
4. free activity board kits and resources that teachers can use to assist in teaching wireless technology, and finally,
5. teachers institutes.

The ETP was developed to address the ARRL education vision and mission to advance the art and science of radio through education. The ETP is totally supported by philanthropic donors who share that vision.

Additional information about this year’s Teachers Institute opportunities is provided here:

• 2008 Teachers Institute brochure (PDF)
• (http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/SpencerBrochureSummer2008%20HORIZONTAL.pdf)
• 2008 Teachers Institute flyer (PDF)
• (http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/SpencerBrochureSummer2008FULL.pdf)

More information about the Education & Technology Program can be found on the ETP web page.

If you have questions, please contact:

Mark Spencer, WA8SME
ETP Coordinator
774 Eastside Rd. , Coleville , CA 96107
mspencer@arrl.org
or by phone at 530-495-9150 (PST)