The History of KOTA
Kids On The Air, KOTA is an innovative new program for local schools, educational institutions, and clubs to generate engagement in STEM through amateur radio. KOTA is an initiative program built by the youth, for the youth, that acts as a learning tool, and platform, aimed to streamline the way youth get involved with ham radio. We aim to bring exposure to ham radio through social media influence, which can spark curiosity in the young scroller. By leading them to using our free curriculum program, they can select which form of learning best suits them, their region, and immediately start learning about the basics of what amateur radio is, the fun things they can do with it, and the opportunities that amateur radio can present to the young ham. The more they use the curriculum, the more advanced the topics and lessons get and they can actually understand what they study in the question pool, that way they can apply that information properly in examination AND in the hobby.
Instead of throwing practice tests in front of a kid who's never even heard about ham radio, we aim to provide a medium for them to actually gain interest and the desire to learn, through a platform that is built for them, by kids who know how to get them involved. Kids these days require more instant-gratification, and instant-solutions; We provide the instant solution. No need to spend hours watching or researching after hearing about ham radio, when they can START learning HERE, get invested, ACTUALLY gain interest through a streamlined program to teach them, and even then they can still choose how they wish to learn going forward. We provide a safe Discord community for them to spread their wings and make friends with ham operators their age, which hobbies self-confidence and promotes their activity in the hobby, while being able to keep up to date and participate in what we do. Our KOTA-Link program further promotes activity within the youth and our community because it provides a multi-mode digital ham radio link that allows them to communicate over digital across the world with their young ham peers. Whether from a hotspot, or even phone VOiP such as EchoLink or HamShack Hotline. KOTA is split into two main regional teams, US and AU; Working on both sides of the world to spread the word. Additionally, to emphasize student achievement and practical knowledge, KOTA offers easy access to contests, competitions, and awards, offering many of our own. With further innovation, we believe, we have cracked the code to appointing the next generation of radio amateurs.