STEM / ARES Unit Project
Inspiring the Next Generation. Empowering Emergency Response.
The Williams County Amateur Radio Association (WCARA) is developing a mobile STEM Education and Emergency Communications Unit—a cutting-edge mobile classroom and comms unit to serve the youth, the public, and the community’s safety needs.
Inspiring the Next Generation. Empowering Emergency Response.
The Williams County Amateur Radio Association (WCARA) is developing a mobile STEM Education and Emergency Communications Unit—a cutting-edge mobile classroom and comms unit to serve the youth, the public, and the community’s safety needs.
What Is It?
This trailer will be a mobile STEM lab and ham radio station that brings science, technology, engineering, and math directly to schools, public events, and emergency scenes.
Whether we’re teaching students about radio waves, fox hunting, or supporting a disaster response—we'll be ready.
This trailer will be a mobile STEM lab and ham radio station that brings science, technology, engineering, and math directly to schools, public events, and emergency scenes.
Whether we’re teaching students about radio waves, fox hunting, or supporting a disaster response—we'll be ready.
🔬 STEM First, Always
Our primary mission is STEM outreach. We believe in hands-on, real-world tech experiences that inspire curiosity and spark innovation. This unit will let us bring:
Our primary mission is STEM outreach. We believe in hands-on, real-world tech experiences that inspire curiosity and spark innovation. This unit will let us bring:
- Live ham radio demonstrations
- Antenna-building workshops
- Morse code and signal propagation experiments
- Fox Hunting (radio direction finding challenges)
- Satellite tracking and space communications
- APRS and GPS mapping lessons
- Digital modes like FT8, Winlink, and JS8Call
- STEM challenges and take-home kits
- Career path demos in public safety, comms, & electronics
📡 Emergency Ready
In addition to education, this trailer will also serve as a deployable ARES field unit during:
In addition to education, this trailer will also serve as a deployable ARES field unit during:
- Severe weather events
- Public safety incidents
- Training drills and Field Day
- Community support operations
🧰 Our Build Plan
We’re currently seeking grants, sponsors, and donors to help bring this idea to life.
Planned capabilities include:
We’re currently seeking grants, sponsors, and donors to help bring this idea to life.
Planned capabilities include:
- Dual VHF/UHF base station
- HF radio with antenna deployment tools
- Solar power system with battery storage
- Workbench with soldering and maker tools
- Portable STEM kits and demo boards
- Digital display panels
- Portable weather and APRS stations
- Wi-Fi hotspot for classroom engagement
- Take-Home kits and handouts
💬 Want to Get Involved?
We’re looking for:
We’re looking for:
- STEM educators & volunteers
- Sponsorships and equipment donations
- Schools or events interested in hosting us
- Community supporters who share our vision
- Sponsors & Sustaining Partners
