What started out in 2000 as “The Big Project,” an initiative of past ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, continues to grow today as the ARRL Education & Technology Program (ETP). The program aims to boost "wireless technology literacy" among US students and educators by providing cost-free instructional resources, Teachers Institutes on Wireless Technology and grants for school Amateur Radio stations and equipment — all made possible through the sustaining support of donors in the Amateur Radio community. With the addition this month of three new ETP station grants and one progress grant to schools, the program now boasts 535 schools.

Receiving ETP school station grants are Westside Elementary School, in Roanoke, Virginia — a current ETP school with a Teachers Institute graduate on staff; Midland High School in Midland, Michigan, and Norwood School in Hulbert, Oklahoma. Each school must formally accept the grant. The total package of the station grants was approximately $3600. Schools will receive basic equipment and an antenna system to establish an Amateur Radio station at their facilities. Schools are encouraged to partner with a local Amateur Radio club.

Receiving an ETP progress grant is Liberal Arts and Science Academy (on the campus of Lyndon B. Johnson Early College High School) in Austin, Texas. A fixture in the ETP, the school is a frequent top scorer in the ARRL School Club Roundup. The school requested an AZ/EL rotator and controller. Its grant is estimated at $800.

The ARRL Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of the Executive Committee and approved the four grants at its July meeting. The EC reviews ETP grant applications twice a year, in June and December.