Space Jam 10 STEM merit badge workshop participants gathered in Rantoul, Illinois, August 5-7, will be treated to an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) educational contact with ISS crew member and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ. The contact will be a telebridge via IK1SLD, and Rubins will use the ISS call sign OR4ISS.

The contact has been set for Saturday, August 6, at 1559 UTC. Primarily a weekend Scouting and STEM education event, Space Jam is open to all interested youth. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from 27 states are attending.

“While it is well known that Scouting teaches pioneering skills like camping and wilderness survival, the new pioneers and wilderness are in outer space and we are working hard at 44 technology oriented merit badges and activities, plus some fun things like the Duct Tape Merit Badge,” a Space Jam 10 release explained. “Talking to the astronauts on the ISS is an unforgettable part of the experience at Space Jam.

The annual Space Jam has provided a venue for previous ARISS contacts.