Cumming Students to Talk to Astronauts on the ISS

Students at Pinecrest Academy, a PreK3-12th grade independent Catholic school in Cumming, Georgia, will talk with astronauts on the International Space Station via Amateur Radio in the fall of 2025. This activity is part of the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Program, which promotes learning opportunities as part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) initiative.

This unique opportunity was awarded to Pinecrest Academy upon completion of a months-long application process spearheaded by Dr. Joseph Baxley, High School History/Social Studies Department Chair.

“We believe this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will inspire our students to imagine what is possible, and we wish for them to make a lasting difference in society through exploration, scientific inquiry, engineering, collaboration, problem solving and teamwork,” commented Jake Rodgers, Pinecrest Academy President and Head of School. “We also wish for them to have moments of genuine, childlike wonder through glimpsing the vastness and beauty of the universe.”

Only three schools/organizations in the United States were selected for Fall 2025, and Pinecrest Academy was the only school selected in the State of Georgia.

The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will provide scheduling opportunities for the three U.S. host organizations, including Pinecrest, during the July-December 2025 time period.

To be rolled out as a school-wide activity, Pinecrest administrators and teachers are beginning to implement an education plan, leading up to and continuing after the astronaut contact event. STEM-based educational activities will help prepare students for their astronaut contact and create an ongoing exploration and interest in aerospace and amateur radio topics.

"I am thrilled that we have this amazing opportunity,” commented Dr. Baxley. “ Our students will have the chance to talk directly with an astronaut on the International Space Station via a direct radio link. This means that, for a day, our school will become like a NASA ground station,” he continued. “This is such a unique opportunity for our students to experience STEM in real life outside of the classroom, and I am very grateful to all those members of our community who helped us make a winning proposal."

“Our school’s motto is Semper Altius, which translates from Latin as ‘Always Higher.’ This motto reminds us to pursue all things with excellence, always reaching higher – even to the outer reaches of space,” said Mr. Rodgers.

More details on this unique space station contact event will be forthcoming.

What is ARISS?
ARISS is a joint venture by NASA, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) to facilitate communication via Amateur Radio between astronauts aboard the International Space Station and schools and communities around the world. ARISS programs excite and motivate students in a one-of-a-kind presentation and exchange.
ARISS program goals are:

• Inspiring an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects and in STEM careers among young people.
• Providing an educational opportunity for students, teachers, and the general public for learning about wireless technology and radio science through Amateur Radio.
• Providing an educational opportunity for students, teachers, and the general public for learning about space exploration, space technologies and satellite communications.

What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur, or “Ham,” Radio, is a popular service and hobby in which federally licensed participants operate communications equipment. There are over 700,000 licensed amateurs and nearly 2,300 ARRL-affiliated Amateur Radio clubs in the United States. Hams talk to each other across town, around the world, and even into space without the need for normal communications infrastructure, such as cell phone networks or the Internet. Amateur Radio is regularly used during natural disasters to help local emergency and served agencies (such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and state and local governments) respond when normal communications methods are disrupted. The Amateur Radio community is a great source of electronics experimentation, public service, and fun.

More information on the ARISS program can be found at www.ariss.org.

More information on Amateur Radio can be found at www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.