MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J.,
June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- More
than 200 teachers from around the world are gearing up to take the
trip of a lifetime to Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy (HESA) –
the 'game-changing' experience celebrating its 10th
anniversary of inspiring teachers who, in turn, inspire students to
pursue STEM education and careers.
Created in partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
(USSRC), Honeywell (NYSE:HON) developed the award-winning
scholarship program to help middle school math and science teachers
become more effective educators in science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM). During the past ten years, Honeywell
has awarded scholarships to 2,176 teachers from 55 countries and 52
U.S. states and territories.
Since 2004, educators have shared their experiences and
knowledge to more than 2 million students, inspiring many to pursue
STEM education and careers. From winning grants from local and
federal governments, to entering students in international and NASA
educational projects, to creating STEM-focused after school
programs, the impact of the program is continuing beyond the
classroom. To help mark the program's decade-long run, 10 HESA
alumni have been selected, one representing each year, to be the
guests-of-honor at the graduation ceremony on June 23.
"HESA inspired me and in turn touched my students in a unique
way. Years later, I was thrilled when I learned that the young
engineer at Kennedy Space Center speaking about his wonderful job
was one of my former students," said David
Auerbach, HESA 2006 alumni and a middle school teacher from
Canaan, New Hampshire.
This year, 204 teachers from 27 countries, including 144 from 43
U.S. states and territories, will attend one of two five-day
programs offered over consecutive weeks from June 11-24 at the USSRC in Huntsville, Ala. Teachers will be given
rigorous training focused on science and space exploration
including astronaut-style exercises like high-performance jet
simulation, scenario-based space mission, land and water survival
training, and interactive flight dynamics programs.
"This program is all about re-igniting passion in teachers,"
said Tom Buckmaster, president of
Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's global citizenship
initiative responsible for HESA. "STEM subjects are some of the
most challenging to teach, but this experience helps teachers
discover new ways of delivering lesson plans to the next generation
of engineers, programmers, mathematicians and astronauts."
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the last ten
years, the demand for STEM related jobs grew three times faster
than jobs in other fields. However, according to the U.S. Education
Department, only 16 percent of high school seniors are considered
proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. Only
half of those students who pursue STEM courses in college actually
go on to careers in STEM fields.
"Honeywell is a world-class leader when it comes to educating
teachers in STEM education and they're proving it again," noted Dr.
Deborah Barnhart, CEO and executive
director of USSRC. "These teachers, in turn, inspire tens of
thousands of students around the world every year. We are pleased
to partner with Honeywell in helping to build the next STEM
generation."
Hear what these HESA alumni had to say about the program:
"My experience at HESA was the pebble in the pond - the
ripples are continuous and still growing. This summer a former
student is interning at NASA. Due to my experience at HESA, my
students have access to the world outside our town and their
aspirations seem more accessible now!" Sarah Hardy Farnham, Maine, USA
"In more than 25 years of teaching, HESA has been the most
fundamental and invigorating professional development of my
career. The skills, knowledge and enthusiasm that I developed
through HESA have undoubtedly had a positive effect on me, my
students and teachers not just from my school, but also in schools
around the region. As a result, I have received recognition at
state and national levels." Ken
Silburn, Australia
To attend Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy, candidates must
complete a thorough application process. Qualified teachers are
awarded scholarships, round-trip airfare, tuition, meals and
accommodations sponsored by Honeywell and its employees.
Supporting Resources
- Video featuring program highlights
- Read more about HESA
- Follow @HON_Citizenship on Twitter
- Like Honeywell Educators on Facebook
- Subscribe to Honeywell's Corporate RSS feed
About Honeywell
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a
Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader,
serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services;
control technologies for buildings, homes and industry;
turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are
traded on the New York,
London, and Chicago Stock
Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit
www.honeywellnow.com.
About Honeywell Hometown Solutions
Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy is part of Honeywell Hometown
Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative, which
focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math
Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter,
Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with
leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed
powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it
serves. For more information, please visit
http://citizenship.honeywell.com/.
Media Contact:
Pratibha
Poswal
+1.202.288.8177
pratibha.poswal@honeywell.com
Photo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140604/94647
SOURCE Honeywell