In a bid to support new teaching methods and boost children’s interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects, global technology company Honeywell (NYSE:HON) sent five South African teachers from Gauteng to Space Camp, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama.

The five teachers spent the first week of July 2019 at the Center, undertaking a series of space and technology-related activities designed to equip them with new, exciting ways to engage and inspire students on STEM subjects. 

The event is the latest initiative in Honeywell’s ‘Adventures in Aviation’ program, launched in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), to take STEM teaching to new heights. Honeywell also recently sent nine South African students to the USSRC to participate in its Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy.

During two week-long courses in February and March 2019, the students joined more than 280 other students to engage in real-world, hands-on challenges that encourage interest in STEM-related careers, spanning coding, computer sciences, space exploration and aeronautics.

"Following on from the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy earlier this year, we're thrilled to continue our partnership with the GDE to create a positive impact around STEM for both students and teachers,” said Sean Smith, Africa President, Honeywell. “Honeywell is at the forefront of industrial technology and innovation in South Africa, and we are committed to ensuring the country benefits from not only the very best industrial technology, but also skills and capabilities within its workforce.

Through the Honeywell Adventures in Aviation initiative we are inspiring tomorrow’s generation of engineers, scientists, programmers and technologists to reach their potential, and build careers that make a positive impact on the world we live in.”

The five teachers hail from Bovet Primary, Lyndhurst Primary, Mikateka Primary, Halfway House Primary and Nokuphila School. While at Space Camp, teachers attended 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 on, and developing, their STEM education goals.

Before departing for Space Camp Sive Ngwantwini, a teacher at Lyndhurst Primary School, commented; “The Honeywell Adventures in Aviation program is eye opener into a world of possibilities connected to STEM for many students, and has ignited a new level of hunger for learning about these important subjects.

I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge we gain at the USSRC with my colleagues on my return, so that even more students benefit from new ways of teaching these fundamental STEM skills.”