Upcoming contact focus of radio interview.

The Pearl Technology/Richwoods Township STEM Academy wrapped up a week of classes and projects last week, but the best is yet to come.

On Thursday, Pearl Technology President Dave Johnson was featured on 1470 WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” to talk about STEM Academy’s upcoming radio contact with the International Space Station.

Part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program, the radio contact is one of the learning opportunities presented as part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiative. NASA has confirmed the scheduled contact, and former NASA astronaut and Pekin native Scott Altman will Skype in for the event.

The contact, which is free and open to the public, will take place July 2 at Peoria Heights High School. Doors will open at 9 a.m. with STEM-related activities for children to participate in. Radio contact with the ISS will be established at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, visit the STEM Academy Facebook page.

Check out the interview below, and be sure to come out for this exciting, once-in-a-lifetime event!