Although the manager of the project was an experienced amateur radio operator with a strong background in technology, the establishment of an earth station for space communications presented a totally new challenge. The project required many months of research to determine the best design of the station to suit the needs of the students and to operate within the available budget.
A number of unseen challenges were also encountered, particularly concerning the supply of specialized equipment often within very tight timeframes. Our main satellite transceiver for example had to be imported from Japan that resulted in some delays in the radio station project.
For staff involved in the project, it provided them with an opportunity to experience the practical application of a number of theoretical concepts. The project also clarified their understanding of some of the concepts required by the syllabus.
The project has also facilitated the use of team teaching particularly with science classes. The learning experience for all involved has certainly been enhanced by the operation of the project.
One valuable component of the project was the use of Teacher Associates. Two associates from the University of Technology participated in the project, adding considerable theoretical expertise in physics and robotics.
Student Learning
An interesting quote from one of the year 8 science students.
“Our first lesson was so out there. We talked to people from goodness knows where, it was amazing. We listened to pilots communicating with the control & even tried to learn the phonetic alphabet”
The nature of the project provided a broad range of learning opportunities for students. The syllabus required students to gain an understanding of the properties of radio waves and methods of sending and receiving information via radio. In order to achieve the required outcomes however, students had to learn a range of additional skills in order to competently operate the radio station transceivers.
These diverse skills included such things as calculating world time to selecting the required frequency and modulation type in order to effectively establish communications.
To effectively communicate with polar orbiting satellites, students needed to access the internet in order to determine the correct satellite acquisition times and optimal communication angles. They were then required to determine the most suitable passess to establish communications.
While students learned about the Doppler Effect as a theoretical concept, with satellite communications, compensating for Doppler shifts is a necessity which is soon discovered by operators.
With the assistance of the teacher associates, students had the opportunity to work with practical robotics and understand some of the physics involved with communicating with objects in space.
The project was not only about the technical operation of the equipment, groups of students were involved with recording the events and producing the displays for the project.
These diverse skills included such things as calculating world time to selecting the required frequency and modulation type in order to effectively establish communications.
