2018 has been a great year for Youth in NARS.  As of December 31st, we have 16 licensed members under the age of 18, including two amazing Extra Class YLs – Abby, AB1BY and Kenzie, KE1NZY!

This article is a summary of all of our Youth Activities in 2018, culminating with the ARISS Crew Contact with the Hudson Memorial School!

Kids Day

The year started off with ARRL Kids Day on January 6th.  We hosted the event at AB1OC/AB1QB’s QTH. We had many activities to introduce kids to Amateur Radio.  The event was a big success

High Altitude Balloon Launches

This year, we held our  HAB-3  and HAB-4 Program. We provided programs for students from Hudson Memorial School, World Academy, Merrimack High School, and Bishop Guertin High School.  These sessions included kit builds, instruction on science and technology behind the High Altitude Balloon Carrying Amateur Radio,  GOTA sessions, Morse Code Activities, and many more educational activities.  This culminated with the successful launch of the HAB-3 from Hollis Brookline High School.   We are looking forward to the launch of HAB-4 in the Spring.

License Classes

In July, we held a Technician License Class for Students and Teachers from our HAB programs.  The class was held at Hudson Memorial School.  We helped 9 students and teachers to get their Technician Class License.  We also helped additional students get licensed during our regular Spring and Fall License Classes.

WMUR Field Day TV Coverage of KC1IMK and KC1EMJ

Field Day

Over the past year, we have established a great relationship with the Hudson Memorial School. They welcomed us to hold 2018 Field Day on their grounds.  It was a memorable Field Day with visits from students and teachers at HMS and a visit from WMUR, who included a feature from our Field Day on their 6:00 pm News.

Youth Expos

In 2018, we have done Youth Expos at several major events as well as at local youth programs.  We held these at Spring and Fall NEAR-Fest, the Boxboro Hamvention as well as at a summer program at the Westford Library.  Our Youth Expos have been quite a success and have included HF, Repeater and Satellite GOTA Stations, Kit Builds, Hands on Morse Code Activities and Displays of Fox Hunting, Field Day, Raspberry Pi and Homebrewing and more!   We created a great partnership with Steve, K1EL, who developed the Morse Tutor kit, especially for our youth kit builds.

ARISS Crew Contact

The highlight of our year was the ISS Crew Contact with Astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor and students from the Hudson Memorial School.  This was a huge effort over the past 1.5 years in preparation and the results were a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students as well as the teachers, parents and club members involved.

Fund Raising

We established a fundraising campaign this year to help fund our NARS STEM Learning and Training including these Youth Activities.  We are already over 75% of the way toward our goal!  You can visit our home page, https://www.n1fd.org/  if you would like to help us.

Part of our mission as an organization is to Spark Interest among Young People in STEM Education and Careers through Ham Radio

This year we have had much success in our mission.  We couldn’t have done it without the help of our members, donors and the faculty and students of our partner schools.  We are grateful to all of you for helping us to spark interest among Young People in STEM Careers and helping to keep this wonderful hobby alive!

Anita, AB1QB