Meeting the next generation of young scientists and engineers
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) supported participation by the NSF SpectrumX Center for Spectrum Innovation at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2026 held in Phoenix, Arizona from May 9-15.
ISEF, the world’s largest pre-college science competition, is the culmination of more than 365 affiliate fairs in more than 60 countries, regions, and territories, and drew 1,800 finalists who presented exemplary research projects. NSF SpectrumX brings together 30 universities, the NRAO, and pioneering industries to collaborate, research, and innovate to maximize the use of the radio spectrum.
During the event, NRAO staff introduced students to radio spectrum, radio astronomy, student opportunities, careers in radio spectrum, and NSF SpectrumX through interactive demonstrations. Riley Dunnagan, NRQZ Assistant for Spectrum Management at NSF Green Bank Observatory, described it as one of the ultimate science communication and outreach events of the year. Along with her colleagues, Anja Fourie (NSF NRAO Broader Impacts Project Director) and Montana Williams (NSF NRAO Senior Education Specialist), Riley engaged with more than 3,800 middle and high school students during ISEF’s two-day career fair for finalists and an open day for students from around Arizona.
Riley recalled that the NRAO exhibit was one of the few industry booths at the career fair and being able to share the myriad of career opportunities available to the next generation of scientists, engineers, economists, lawyers, and educators was very exciting.
There was even an extra conference attendee at the exhibit who was able to illustrate the science behind the work that Spectrum Management does in a unique way.
Photo credit: Anja Fourie
As part of the demonstration of radio frequency (RF) emissions, Riley employed a simple yet powerful Yagi-Uda antenna procured from a local big box store to show how even the most basic RF signals (such as those from a television station) can cause real interference to sensitive radio telescopes. Radio emissions in the ultra high and very high frequencies (UHF/VHF) are often problematic in the field of radio astronomy. The antenna – which actually received its own conference attendee badge under the name of “Henry”- illustrated that even in a room located 30 feet below ground level in the convention hall, one could still receive and display disruptive signals in the radio spectrum. “At first, students were asking: ‘What is that?’, but when I showed them how Henry was able to capture the signals from local TV stations and display that output on the monitor, their eyes just lit up.”
Riley was able to further explain how our facilities work with communication systems like StarLink using a system called ODS (Operational Data Sharing), a coordination software developed by NRAO. The electromagnetic energy from one of these satellites could work like a “laser beam in the eyeball” to our receivers, but by sharing our data with the satellite network providers, ODS can mitigate those risks.
In June, an NRAO Education & Public Outreach (EPO) team will be heading to the UPR Mayagüez Center for University Access Summer Camp in Puerto Rico. There, Anja Fourie and Michael Sanchez (NSF NRAO Data Analyst) will facilitate interactive workshops teaching Grade 8-12 learners about the electromagnetic spectrum, the uses of the radio spectrum in our everyday lives, and career opportunities in radio spectrum.
About NRAO and GBO
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Green Bank Observatory are major facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
About SpectrumX
NSF SpectrumX is an NSF Spectrum Innovation Center funded via Award 2132700 operated under cooperative agreement by the University of Notre Dame.