Operation Space Talk SC Connects Middle School Students with the International Space Station

Columbia, S.C. – Thanks to Regional Workforce Advisors (RWAs) Patricia Ferguson, Brenda Gardner, Cheryl Lewis, Joni McDaniel, and Deborah Jones at the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), and in collaboration with regional education and workforce partners throughout the state, middle school students in Lower Savannah, Pee Dee, Santee Lynches, and Trident schools will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about radio operations and speak directly with crew members onboard the International Space Station next month.

This event, known as Operation Space Talk SC, was developed by the RWAs and local sponsors, who submitted a proposal and were granted a spot in the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Created by a public and private consortium, including NASA, the ARISS program engages young people in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) activities and introduces them to career pathways in engineering, communications, technology, robotics, and countless other relevant occupations.

As part of the grant, middle school students get to practice some of those future career skills as they build a working rover and learn how to communicate over an amateur radio, among other things. One participating student commented, “The hardest part of building our rover was trying to get both of the wheels to work at the same time." A group of eighth graders excited to build their rover with a specific mission stated, “Our rover is supposed to detect where things are so future rovers could go and pick the objects up.” When asked about the best part of building a rover with their class, another team of eighth graders replied, “Learning how to connect the wires, teaming up with people, and making things right!”

Students have also spent the past few months gaining hands-on learning experiences from subject matter experts about the logistical and industrial job functions needed to maintain aerospace equipment and radio communication. This exciting opportunity involves local and statewide organizations, including:

• Dooley Planetarium and its director, Dr. Jeannette Myers, who have helped facilitate amateur radio and rover training for educators ahead of the school year.
• Trident Amateur Radio Club, which has helped implement classroom curriculum and is constructing an amateur radio station with satellite tracking capabilities to allow the students to talk to the astronauts on the International Space Station.
• The Citadel and S.C. Army National Guard in Charleston, which are hosting the rover competition.
• Fred Wilson, former NASA employee and current STEM consultant for participating educators and students. He leads them through the rover education components in the classroom, the rover competitions within each school, and the final rover competition at The Citadel. 
• South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV), which will provide livestream support on the day students make contact with the International Space Station.

Participating schools by region include:

• Lower Savannah: Lake Marion Middle School in Orangeburg County School District, led by eighth grade science teachers Shevelle Bogle-Francis and Cheryl Milford. 
• Pee Dee: Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Communication and Leadership in Florence School District 3, led by Dorrell Benjamin and Erica Speller.
• Santee Lynches: Hillcrest Middle School in Sumter School District, led by science teacher Robert Easley and curriculum coach Misty Roberson.
• Trident: Woodland Middle School in Dorchester School District 4, led by Pamela E. Rhode.

“What makes the ARISS program special is that it introduces occupations that many young people are unaware exist, like mechatronics technicians and robotics engineers, and shows students that the training and resources needed to learn those job skills are available in South Carolina and growing,” said DEW Executive Director William Floyd. “Building a rover, collaborating with peers, and being responsible for the success of a project all shape our students to become the future of our workforce. Add our state’s local schools, exceptional technical colleges, universities, and employers as resources, and students have everything they need to build meaningful, lifelong career pathways.”

Similarly, DEW’s Explore SC@Work initiative invites residents of all ages, from childhood to adulthood, to take a closer look at the many occupations South Carolina has to offer and their respective career pathways. The campaign spotlights a new occupation every week with social media and a flyer that serves as a snapshot of what the job entails, salary estimates, education requirements, and other details to make sure students and general jobseekers are well-informed in pursuing the diverse jobs the Palmetto State has to offer.

“This grant has helped students learn about all the career exploration opportunities available to them as they enter high school and pursue certain vocations. Exposing students to aerospace training allows them to see how they can easily transfer those same skills to a variety of jobs, including computer programming, welding, manufacturing, communications, software development, mechanical drafting, and the list goes on. The sky is the limit for South Carolina’s students pursuing careers – and even then, the sky is only one radio call away,” concluded Director Floyd.

Through the ARISS program, students at the four participating schools plan to make contact with the International Space Station in early December. Members of the press can send any inquiries or requests to communications@dew.sc.gov regarding the RWAs, ARISS program, Rover Day, and relevant events.