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.