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 that inspires teachers to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (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 STEM. Over the past 11 years, Honeywell has awarded scholarships to 2,381 teachers from 55 countries and 52 U.S. states and territories.
“Inspiring students begins with inspiring our teachers and this program is all about re-igniting passion in our teachers,” said Michael A. Bennett, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative. “This experience helps teachers learn new techniques for cultivating curiosity for math and science in the next generation of engineers, programmers, mathematicians and astronauts.”
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the last 10 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.
“My experiences at HESA inspired one of my students to attend Space Camp and later join the Air Force. Years later, he told me that if not for that inspiration, he would have stayed in our hometown, which suffers high unemployment,” said Jessica Van Son, HESA 2006 alumni and a middle school teacher from Longview, Washington. “Now he’s seeing the world. He said he cannot wait to send his children to Space Camp!”
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 HESA is continuing beyond the classroom.
This year, 205 teachers from 24 countries, including 104 from 39 U.S. states and territories, will attend one of two five-day programs offered over consecutive weeks from June 10-23 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.
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 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/hometown-solutions/
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. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visitwww.honeywellnow.com/.
