Radio Waves

In this STEM activity, students will learn the basics of radio and receiving messages from hundreds of kilometres away

Basics

• Duration: 1 hour
• Ages: 10+
• Price: $300
• Location: in-person in Montréal, outdoors

What Your Class Will Learn

• about weather satellites that orbit around Earth
• about the International Space Station
• how to track a satellite
• how to use a handheld radio
• how to set up a receiving antenna
• how to know which frequency to tune to
• how to set up a software defined radio on a computer
• how to record audio from a satellite passing overhead
• how to convert that audio signal into an image

Activity

Depending on time of day and satellite activity, there are 3 things that we can contact:

• the International Space Station orbiting overhead
• a weather satellite orbiting overhead
• every airplane flying in the nearby area

Students will use a smartphone or tablet to find when and where the next weather satellite or Space Station will fly overhead. They will help in setting up the radio antenna to receive its signal.

Students will be guided through the process of receiving and recording signals on the host's computer. Then, at the correct time, they'll hear and see signals from the satellite or space station as it flies overhead.

Book Now

Fill out the form below and let's get in touch! You'll receive an email confirmation, then I'll follow-up to confirm a date and anything special you'd like for your presentation.