Honeywell and Audubon Partner to Provide Onondaga County Educators with Creative Ways to Teach Science and Environmental Studies
Honeywell, the Montezuma Audubon Center and the Onondaga Audubon Society announced the creation of Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education for Onondaga County middle school science teachers last night at the Sainte Marie Among the Iroquois Museum in Liverpool, N.Y.
The professional development program will take place in summer of 2010 and offer curriculum that promotes environmental stewardship, enhances habitat, supports birding and raises awareness of the Onondaga Lake Important Bird Area (IBA).
“Honeywell is proud to partner with Audubon to bring Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education to the Syracuse-area,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “We are excited to work with Audubon to help restore the natural habitat of Onondaga Lake and to recognize it as an Important Bird Area.”
“Audubon is looking forward to working with Honeywell and Onondaga County teachers to enhance educators’ and students’ knowledge of local ecosystems. The real-world science curriculum will create fun, thought-provoking experiences that will encourage students to take an active role in their own learning process,” said Director of Montezuma Audubon Center Frank Moses.
“The partnership between Honeywell and Audubon is extremely important to get more local kids focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said President of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) Cornelius (Neil) Murphy. “The more student interest we have now, the better our ecosystems will be in the future. Honeywell should be lauded for their efforts with Audubon.”
Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education will offer hands-on lessons and inquiry-based techniques for students to learn about habitats and ecosystems, water quality, birds, native plants and sustainability. The program, which is designed to enhance student achievement in science and math, is aligned with the current New York State curriculum and is adaptable to classrooms.
Applications and eligibility criteria for Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education will be available to middle school science teachers beginning February 2010. The program includes a five-day August workshop with lessons that support New York State curriculum in math and science. Full scholarships as well as classroom support will be available. Participating teachers will gain new enthusiasm for both environmental and science education. The instructors’ interest will carry through to the classroom, enhancing students’ awareness and encouraging them to pursue careers in science, engineering and environmental studies.
“Working together is essential in ensuring the understanding of the environment and particularly Onondaga Lake for the decision makers of tomorrow,” said Vice President of Onondaga Audubon Society Niles Brown.
Speakers at the event included: Frank Moses, Director, Montezuma Audubon Center; John McAuliffe, Honeywell Syracuse Program Director; Niles Brown, Vice President, Onondaga Audubon Society; Jillian Liner, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon New York; and, Mike Allen, Bald Eagle specialist, formerly of the NYSDEC.
For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
For more information about the Montezuma Audubon Center, the Onondaga Audubon Society and the Audubon New York Important Bird Areas, please visit:
http://ny.audubon.org/montezuma.htm, http://www.onondagaaudubon.org and http://ny.audubon.org/BirdSci_IBAs.html.
For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit:
www.onondaga-lake-initiatives.com