A family holds all their hands together in between a smartphone and a Wi-Fi router sitting on two blocks of wood, placed apart on a table.

Making Waves with Radio Kit

A downloadable kit of hands-on activities to help learners explore the phenomena, uses, and societal impact of radio technologies.

Hands-on Activities

An adult and a child holds a metal baking sheet above the antennae of a Wi-Fi router on a block of wood, placed on a table. Another child holds a shell of tinfoil around a block of wood placed apart from the first block.

Radio Explorers: Wi-Fi Detective

Learners explore how to manipulate the radio waves from a Wi-Fi router using household materials and an app to measure Wi-Fi signal strength.

Two gallon-sized paint cans–one made out of clear plastic and the other metal– are side by side on a table. Behind them, two youths are seated at the table. Together they place a handheld, hand crank radio with a long antenna into the plastic paint can.

Radio Explorers: Radio Silence

Learners compare and contrast how a variety of materials can block radio waves.

Two children are seated at a table spread with large cards that depict writing and various radio technologies. Both children are holding a card in each hand and smiling as they read the cards.

Radio Futures: You Decide

Learns discover how their own values and the values of other can shape the development and use of future radio technologies.

An adult and child, both smiling, sit close together at a table as the child points to an image on the Wavetown illustration.

Radio Futures: I Spy Radio

Young learners explore a colorful illustration showing everyday uses of radio technologies.

While sitting at a table, one child points a small transmitter at a vacuum-seal container that has a key finder inside, and another child holds a smartphone up to the other side of the container.

Radio Explorers: Messages from Space

Learners investigate the differences between sound and radio waves in a partial vacuum.

Professional Resources

Making Waves with Radio logos

A set of logos and promotional materials for Making Waves with Radio including logos, colors, and graphics in multiple formats.

Making Waves with Radio I Spy training video showing faciltator at a table

Making Waves with Radio training videos

Professional learning training videos for the the Making Waves with Radio activities.

Online Workshop Recording: Making Waves with Radio - New Ways to Engage Audiences with the Basics of Modern Communication & Navigation

Recording of online workshop about the Making Waves with Radio project and the new resources now available for engaging audiences in this content.

About the Project

Making Waves with Radio

Hands-on activities, mobile apps, and camp curriculum to support informal educators engaging public audiences on the science, technologies, and societal implications behind radio wave communications.

More Resources

Electromagnetic Spectrum and Technology Resources

A model of the intense magnetic fields around the Sun

Telescopes and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

We use special tools to detect things far away that we can't see with just our eyes. Many tools use different wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) including visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and radio waves. Other tools may detect magnetism—such as the magnetic field lines around the surface of the Sun.

Girl holding a model of a spacecraft she built with Design Build Test engineering activity

Engineering

A compilation of engineering hands-on educational and professional development resources. Also included are resources for annual events including National Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, National Robotics Week, International Women in Engineering Day, and more.