Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has named David Johnson to their U.S. Education Committee.

David Johnson is the president of Pearl Technology in Peoria Heights, IL, and is also one of the founders of the Pearl Technology/Richwoods Township STEM Academy. David presently holds an FCC General Class license as W9DWJ.

The ARISS program provides learning opportunities by connecting students via real-time amateur radio contacts to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The program is possible because of a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other amateur radio organizations and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe. The program’s goal is to inspire students worldwide to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by doing hands-on activities about space and amateur radio.

The ARISS-US Education Committee provides guidance on the educational aspect of the program and Johnson joins a small group of educators from across the United States who were named to the committee.

“I am honored to join the ARISS team of educators, engineers, and innovators who are helping to inspire the next generation of explorers,” said Johnson. “With more than 1,200 amateur radio contacts directly between students and astronauts, this program is an important aspect of the space program’s educational outreach, and I am very happy to be a part of this.”

For more information on ARISS, visit www.ariss.org.