Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it has awarded 220 scholarships to its Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program. Teachers f r o m 17 countries and 44 states will attend the program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama f r o m June 11 to June 23, 2010. This event is one element of the company’s award winning math and science education initiative.

Created in partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in 2004, the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program is designed to help teachers move beyond the standard math and science curriculum with supplemental teaching techniques developed through real-life astronaut training.

Shelly A Munoz, 7th grade life science teacher f r o m Menifee Valley Middle School attended the academy June 11-17 2010. The schedule was packed with various challenges and missions designed to enhance participants’ understanding of space science and exploration. Beyond classroom, laboratory and field training exercises, each teacher also faced physical challenges: a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and flight dynamics programs.

“Through the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program we have trained more than 1,100 science and math teachers to become more engaging and inspiring educators,” said Thomas Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. “This unique hands-on learning experience reinvigorates science, technology, engineering and math education in classrooms around the globe.”

Honeywell Educators participate in 45 hours of professional development, as well as an intensive educator curriculum focused on space science and exploration. Activities include classroom, laboratory and field training exercises, which are linked to U.S. science and math teaching standards. Each teacher will also undergo real-life astronaut training including a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and a state-of-the-art flight dynamics programs.

“As a teacher I love the idea of exposing students to new experiences. The week at Huntsville gives me plenty of material to do just that in my classroom,” said Steve Chance, 2009 Space Camp alumni. “The frosting-on-the-cake was to spend time with so many dedicated and enthusiastic teachers. That always refreshes me for the new year.”

Each Honeywell Educator receives a full scholarship following a rigorous application and selection process involving competing teachers f r o m around the world. Scholarships include tuition for the six-day program, roundtrip airfare, meals, accommodation and program materials, all underwritten by Honeywell and contributions f r o m Honeywell employees.

“Once again, Honeywell is sending a stellar group of teachers to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and we are honored to have the opportunity to provide them with relevant professional development in science, technology, and mathematics,” said Larry Capps, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. “Teachers who have participated in previous sessions are now making a difference in classrooms around the world as they inspire the next generation of explorers. We look forward to working with the Honeywell Educator Class of 2010 as we continue our mission.”

Since the program’s inception, Honeywell and its employees have sponsored more than 1,100 scholarships for teachers f r o m 37 countries and 49 U.S. states, to participate in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs.

Via EPR Network
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