GREEN BANK, WV (LOOTPRESS) – For the first time, students at Green Bank Elementary and Middle School (GBEMS) will have access to WiFi, thanks to a policy change by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO).
The school, located next to the NSF Green Bank Telescope, sits within the West Virginia Radio Astronomy Zone (WVRAZ)—a 10-mile-radius area where devices emitting radio frequencies, such as WiFi routers, have long been restricted to protect scientific research.
“This is a big, positive change for us,” shares GBEMS Principal Melissa Jordan. “This conversation has been going on for a few years, and it’s finally happening.”
She added, “Our students now have the same equal opportunities as the others in the county. We’re really excited to see the ways that this can positively impact student achievement.”
The Observatory was established in 1956 to serve scientists across the country and played a role in helping create local public institutions like the school and library.
At the time, officials couldn’t have predicted how essential WiFi would become in education.
“When these Quiet Zones were created in the late 1950s, by the Federal Communications Commission and the state of West Virginia, officials could not have predicted the technology using radio wavelengths that are almost an essential part of our daily lives,” shares Anthony Remijan, director of the NSF GBO. “Today, we’re trying to balance our scientific operations with the reality of a world with WiFi.”
Voluntary compliance has long been the primary method of enforcing the WVRAZ guidelines, but some residents and businesses have used WiFi illegally for over a decade.
Enforcement has been limited by staff and budget constraints, and over 100 signals have been detected in the area surrounding the Observatory.
The Green Bank Telescope operates 24/7 and is sensitive to the same radio frequencies used by WiFi routers. Scientists observing in the S-band (2–4 GHz) are most affected by devices operating at 2.4 GHz, a common frequency for consumer routers.
After considering options, Observatory engineers and scientists determined that 2.4 GHz—already impacted by unauthorized use—would be the best compromise.
“Many people who were doing the right thing by not using WiFi were left without access, while others who were illegally using routers did whatever they wanted,” Remijan explains. “Now, the Observatory is offering guidance that benefits everyone and helps us better manage the situation.”
Remijan added, “Scientists observing at this frequency have been working with this problem for years. They’ve still been able to get data for their research, it’s just harder to do, another challenge to tackle.”
Chris De Pree, head of NRAO’s Spectrum Management Department, said, “Updating our policy and permitting WiFi at 2.4 GHz in the WVRAZ allows us to be realistic about what’s happening around the Observatory, and clearly define what areas of Radio Frequency Interference our staff should be focused on.”
He noted, “Today, some of our biggest interference is coming from the sky, and we’re working closely with satellite phone and internet providers to develop systems to keep those signals away from our telescopes.”
The change has received support from West Virginia officials. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said, “GBO’s gift to Green Bank Elementary School is not just of WiFi, but the gift of education, inspiration and knowledge.”
Enabling the students this tool to expand their universe is a fitting thing to receive from the Green Bank Observatory. While GBO studies the stars, I applaud them for their commitment to the neighbors here on earth. I hope the students are excited to have the tools to help them become the scientists and explorers of tomorrow.”
GBEMS Assistant Principal Chloe Schaffner added, “Being so close to the Observatory, we’ve had a good partnership that’s brought new opportunities for our students, from field trips, to student contact with the International Space Station, and student science with weather balloons. We have a good partnership, and it’s great that it’s led to this change.”
The Observatory is offering guidance on setting up WiFi routers to operate specifically at 2.4 GHz. That information is available at the Green Bank Science Center, school, and library, and on the NSF GBO website.
Presentations for teachers, students, parents, and community members will be held throughout August and September.
