From ARRL Institute to the Classroom: Tom Perkins, W1FMF, Brings Real-World Radio Home
Tom Perkins, W1FMF, isn’t just a skilled operator; he’s a hands-on educator who spent a week at the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. The program, funded entirely by generous donors, is designed to empower teachers to bring practical, hands-on radio and STEM learning back to their schools. Tom’s takeaway is simple and powerful: make tech approachable, and give students something they can actually do with their hands and their minds.
A week that matters
Donor-funded, accessible professional development: The Institute’s model removes barriers, letting teachers from across the country participate and return with tools that can transform their classrooms. Tom saw firsthand how donor support helps grow quality STEM education.
Learning by doing: The Institute isn’t just lectures. It blends instructional sessions with labs, demonstrations, and real equipment—giving teachers a tangible sense of how wireless tech works and how to teach it effectively.
What Tom took back to the classroom
Real tools for students: Tom arrived home with classroom-ready hardware and software, including:
FT-70D radio for student use
A Raspberry Pi kit with a cooling solution for hands-on projects
Chirp software to program radios and explore how radio programming works
Engaging, student-centered activities: Fox hunts (hidden transmitters used to teach direction finding) and other interactive demonstrations showcased how to spark curiosity and build teamwork in a practical, radio-centered context.
A clear path for beginners: Tom’s message is about demystifying complex tech. By framing lessons with simple explanations, lots of hands-on time, and visible connections to real-world applications, students quickly gain confidence.
Why this matters for schools
Making complex tech accessible: The Institute’s approach—stories from history, modern gear, and practical activities—helps teachers present tech in relatable ways.
A multiplier effect: When teachers return energized with gear and lesson ideas, an entire classroom or school can benefit. Students get exposure to radio, electronics, and problem-solving in meaningful, project-based formats.
A call to action for ham clubs and the broader community
Support teachers’ growth: Sponsor teachers to attend programs like the ARRL Teachers Institute. Your support expands opportunities for students who might not otherwise experience hands-on radio and STEM education.
Equip classrooms for impact: Provide starter kits (radio gear, Raspberry Pi projects, programming tools) so teachers can spark student interest immediately.
Offer mentorship and hands-on help: Arrange school visits, demonstrations, and ongoing guidance to help teachers plan and execute exciting projects.
Tie it to the bigger mission: A thriving teacher pipeline strengthens schools, broadens students’ exposure to real-world radio concepts, and grows the next generation of amateur radio operators.
Bottom line
Tom Perkins’s experience at the ARRL Teachers Institute demonstrates how targeted, well-supported professional development translates into richer, more accessible radio and STEM learning in schools. By investing in teachers and partnering with ham clubs, we can widen the airwaves of opportunity for students nationwide—one classroom, one fox hunt, one project at a time.
Learn more about the ARRL Teachers Institute or how we are building a model to send and equip teachers in schools. Please visit our community page on our website.