Space Program Trains Teachers to Inspire Students to Study Science and Math
Fremont Elementary School teacher Brian Young and Minoa Elementary School teacher Becky Loy, both from the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, are preparing for take-off after being awarded scholarships to attend Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Young is one of 250 teachers from around the world to be awarded a scholarship to attend Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy this year. Loy, who attended the program in 2009, is the only teacher from New York State to be accepted to Honeywell Educators @ Advanced Space Academy. Advanced Space Academy includes challenging mission simulations and advanced workshops in space, science, mathematics, engineering and technology; underwater training; as well as behind the scenes tours and workshops at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All activities are correlated to national math and science standards.
“Space Academy is going to be a great experience,” said Young. “I had teachers who inspired me to study math and science and I hope that I can pass that inspiration on to my students.”
On Friday, May 20th, more than 350 Fremont Elementary School students cheered as Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe presented Young with his new Space Academy flight suit during a school assembly. At the event, New York State Senator David Valesky presented a proclamation to Young in recognition of his acceptance to Space Academy.
During a Friday afternoon school assembly at Minoa Elementary School, Village of Minoa Mayor Richard Donovan and Town of Manlius Supervisor Edmond Theobald surprised Loy with a proclamation from Senator Valesky. John McAuliffe presented a U.S. Space & Rocket Center clock to Loy for her acceptance to the Advanced Space Academy program.
“It is important for everyone to have dreams and to not lose sight of that passion,” said Loy. “Honeywell has been instrumental in helping me pursue my passion and giving me the needs to help others pursue their dream or passion.”
After attending Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy in 2009, Loy created the Minoa Elementary School Rocket Club to give students the opportunity to take part in air and space activities. During an afternoon school assembly on Friday at Minoa Elementary School, students from the Rocket Club spoke about the different ways Loy has influenced their lives.
In recognition of Loy’s achievement, a citation was presented to Loy on behalf of New York State Assemblyman Sam Roberts. At the end of the assembly, Loy took students from the Rocket Club on a weekend-long field trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
“It is an honor to have two teachers represent us at Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy,” said East Syracuse Minoa Central School District Superintendent Dr. Donna DeSiato. “The Honeywell program will provide both teachers with creative and innovative teaching techniques that they can bring back to the classrooms to give students the skills they need to be successful leaders in the future.”
“These Central New York educators are an inspiration to teachers and students around the world,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “Their dedication and commitment to using supplemental teaching techniques and hands-on lessons in the classroom are essential in motivating our future generations to study and pursue careers in science-related fields.”
The East Syracuse Minoa School District has created a new “Inquiry Support Teacher” position at each of the four elementary schools and the middle schools to increase Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for students. The district plans to use Loy’s learning experiences and techniques from Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy to increase learning for middle and high school students.
Created in partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in 2004, Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy is designed to help teachers move beyond the standard math and science curriculum with supplemental teaching techniques developed through real-life astronaut training.
Participants in Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy engage in unique activities such as astronaut training exercises including high performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and state-of-the-art flight dynamics programs. They receive 45 hours of professional development; an intensive curriculum focused on space science and exploration; and classroom, laboratory and field training that are linked to science and math teaching standards.
Honeywell has awarded 250 scholarships to its Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program this year. Teachers from 27 countries and 47 states will attend the program from June 15 to June 28, 2011. Since the program’s inception, Honeywell and its employees have sponsored nearly 1,500 scholarships for teachers from 43 countries and 50 U.S. states, to participate in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs.
Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative which focuses on areas of vital importance: Family Safety & Security; Housing & Shelter; Science & Math Education; 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 on Honeywell Hometown Solutions, visitwww.honeywell.com/hhs.