Science Education Programs

Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program (SRIP)



Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program (SRIP) is a strategy to develop student interest in learning and practicing rigorous academic and social skills in the context of a popular electronic media form. The Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program is an academic enrichment program that unifies the disciplines of science, language arts, mathematics, social science, humanities and technology through the activities associated with the development, operation, production and maintenance of a low-powered, frequency modulated (FM), non-licensed radio station operated under Part 15 of the United States Federal Communication Commission rules.

SRIP provides students with the opportunity to develop and hone problem solving, writing, reading and speaking skills in the context of broadcasting activities. Students learn cooperative behaviors as teammates in developing, producing and presenting programming. The science of radio and other wireless forms of communication is acquired and operation and maintenance of the technology is practiced. In addition, students learn and practice mathematics and business skills associated with economics, management, and marketing involved with operating a radio broadcast station.


It is the philosophy of the Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program that students experience the academic disciplines in a wholistic and realistic manner and that the development of an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and communication through real life experience helps to maximize the potential of each student, facilitating the production of a well rounded citizen capable of more readily meeting the challenges of the 21st century.


By using popular electronic media as the stimulus and unifying methodology, the Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program will provide a mechanism by which students can enhance, in a relevant and meaningful manner, their skills and understanding in language arts, science and technology, social science, mathematics and fine arts.


The Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program (SRIP) is developed around the belief that active, hands-on learning will promote mastery learning in students of all ages. The integration of subject matter through the use of the multi-varied activities associated with operating a radio station offers students the unique opportunity to develop skills in the use of technology in a manner that relates to their everyday lives.

Good communication skills are vital in order to effectively exchange ideas. Participation in the Radio Program aids in the development of communication skills as students plan and make written, oral, and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences. The necessity to speak and write standard English for success mandates that students review and revise communications to improve accuracy, clarity and understanding.

SRIP students work collaboratively to fashion program segments, they will develop social skills necessary to exchange information, questions, and ideas while recognizing and respecting the perspectives of their peers. As radio programs are designed, students will identify tasks that require a coordinated effort and work with other students to complete those tasks.

Incorporating technology with the subject areas of science, social studies, mathematics, and communication arts addresses the universal goal of providing today's students with the knowledge and skills they will find necessary to apply to the types of problem-solving and decision-making they will encounter in later years as productive citizens.

Participation in the Radio Program furnishes students with opportunities to develop questioning strategies, as well as organize data, information and ideas into useful forms for making presentations. As students become more familiar with the operations of a radio station, they will discover how to organize and utilize newly acquired information, ideas, and skills as students, workers, citizens, and consumers.

Involvement with SRIP will motivate students to examine problems and proposed solutions from multiple perspectives as they work together to develop, monitor and revise plans of actions to meet deadlines and accomplish goals required to put a radio broadcast station on the air.

The specific goals of the Student Radio Interdisciplinary Program (SRIP) are to provide an opportunity for students to:

  1. acquire the knowledge and skills to gather, analyze and apply information and ideas;
  2. acquire the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively within the classroom and beyond to their community;
  3. acquire the knowledge and skills to recognize and solve problems;
  4. acquire the knowledge and skills to make decisions independently and in unison with others and act as responsible members of society; and
  5. acquire the knowledge and skills to perform at a proficient level appropriate to their development in the communication arts, fine arts, mathematics, science, social science and technology.

These goals will be recognized and accomplished as students learn to recognize and practice honesty and integrity in academic work as provided by the radio programming workplace.