The program has inspired 2,576 maths and science teachers from 56 countries and 52 U.S. states and territories since 2004, reaching more than 3 million students
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) and its long-term partner Honeywell (NYSE: HON) hosted more than 200 teachers from 25 countries and 36 U.S. states and territories at the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA), over two consecutive weeks. For the first time, this year there were four South African teachers who attended:
- Christopher Mlizane – Prestige College, Hammanskraal
- Frieda de Bruyn – Prestige College, Hammanskraal
- Simon Ngwenya – St Alban’s College, Pretoria
- Niel Both - Gericke Primary School, Cape Town
The award-winning scholarship program, created by Honeywell Hometown Solutions in partnership with USSRC, is designed to help maths and science teachers be more effective at teaching science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. Since its creation in 2004, HESA has graduated 2,576 educators from 56 countries and 52 U.S. states and territories.
“We are proud to work with Honeywell to offer this program to teachers from all over the world each year,” said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Rocket Center. “This program gives teachers innovative tools they need to engage their students and lead them toward success in the classroom and in the workplace. The educators who attend say HESA changed the way they teach and reinvigorated their passion for their work. The beneficiaries of this collaboration are ultimately the millions of children who come through their classrooms.”
Teachers participated in 45 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction focused specifically on science and space exploration. Sessions included astronaut-style exercises such as high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training and interactive flight dynamics programs.
“Honeywell Educators at Space Academy was like living in the future,” said Steven Ngwenya. “My teaching philosophy is "I touch the future" and I believe that the children that I teach are the future. I have a lot to share with my fellow South Africans and Africa at large thanks to my space camp experience.” “As a global leader in each of our business groups – Aerospace, Automation Control and Solutions, and Performance Materials and Technologies – Honeywell understands the importance of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Michael A. Bennett, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative. “In order to do that, we are committed to equipping teachers with new techniques to reignite their passion for teaching challenging subjects like math and science in a way that inspires today’s students to become the STEM leaders of the future.”
HESA candidates complete a rigorous application process. Qualified teachers are awarded scholarships, round-trip airfare, tuition, meals and accommodation, thanks to the generous support of Honeywell and its employees. To date, more than 3 million students benefited from the invaluable teaching techniques gained from HESA. For more information about HESA, visit: educators.honeywell.com