U.S. Space & Rocket Center Program Inspires Educators from Around the World
Two local teachers have returned to Central New York after embarking upon an intensive five-day educator training mission at Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA) at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama. The educators, Syracuse City School District teacher Erin Emanuele and Bishop Ludden Junior-Senior High School teacher Michelle Hall, were awarded scholarships from Honeywell to attend HESA, which provides simulated astronaut training focused on space science and exploration.
“Honeywell Educators at Space Academy is unlike any other experience,” said Emanuele. “HESA has encouraged me and provided me with the necessary tools and experiences to transform my classroom instruction. I am excited to provide my students with opportunities to learn mathematics while engaging them in meaningful real-life topics.”
In partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Honeywell developed the award-winning scholarship program to help middle school math and science teachers become more effective educators and encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers.
This year, 224 teachers from 35 countries and 45 U.S. states and territories were selected to attend the annual program. While at space camp, teachers attend 45 hours of immersive classroom and laboratory instruction focused on science, space exploration, and leadership skills development. In addition to learning new instructional exercises, including coding challenges, the teachers built a network of peers from around the world to continue collaborating and developing their STEM education goals.
Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, and USSRC created the program in 2004 to inspire middle school science and math teachers to not only continue their own education, but to promote STEM in their classrooms. Since its creation, more than 3,000 teachers have attended the HESA program and have cumulatively gone on to impact more than 5 million students around the world.
HESA candidates complete a rigorous application process. Qualified teachers are awarded scholarships, round-trip airfare, tuition, meals, and accommodations, supported by Honeywell and its employees.
For more information about the HESA program click here.
About Honeywell Hometown Solutions
Honeywell Educators at 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 nonprofit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com.