...Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program. Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced it has awarded 185 scholarships to teachers from 19 countries and 37 states to attend its simulated astronaut training and professional development program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
To remain a world leader in the knowledge-based economy, the United States must produce more engineers, mathematicians, and scientists. Yet, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, only about one-third of 8th graders have the skills to perform even basic mathematic computations. Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy, created in partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in 2004, is designed to address these trends in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education by providing teachers with new technical skills and teaching techniques that help motivate students not only in the U.S. but around the world.
“Inspiring students begins with inspiring teachers,” said Tom Buckmaster, President of Honeywell Hometown Solutions. “As a leading technology company, Honeywell is committed to promoting science and math education and encouraging the next generation of technologists and engineers. Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy helps teachers move beyond the standard math and science curriculum and approach their lessons in new and innovative ways.”
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 linked to U.S. science and math teaching standards. Each teacher will also undergo simulated astronaut training including:
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• A high-performance jet simulation
• Scenario-based space mission
• Land and water survival training
• Interactive flight dynamics programs
“This program gave me new ideas to transform my lessons and enhance my approach to teaching,” said John Moscato, a Honeywell Educators graduate and math teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. “I know I am going to watch one of my students walk on Mars. Now I have the tools to teach them how to get there.”
Since the program’s inception, Honeywell and its employees have sponsored more than 1,650 teachers from 44 countries and all 50 U.S. states to participate in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program. Each Honeywell Educator receives a full scholarship following a rigorous and lengthy application and selection process involving competing teachers from around the world. Scholarships include tuition for the six-day program, roundtrip airfare, meals, accommodations, and program materials, all sponsored by Honeywell and contributions from Honeywell employees.