Eleven Central New York teachers have been awarded scholarships to attend Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., this June. Former astronaut and Director of Towson University’s Hackerman Academy of Mathematics and Science Donald A. Thomas, Ph.D., recognized each teacher during an event at the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center on May 29.
“I grew up in the era of the ‘space race’ and my childhood was filled with dreams of being an astronaut,” said Scott Daley, a science teacher at Frazer K-8 school in the Syracuse City School District who was selected for the 2013 Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy. “Now, thanks to Honeywell, I will have the opportunity to get a taste of what it is like to be a modern astronaut via Space Camp. Through creative lessons, I hope to share my experiences with a new generation of students who themselves may find their future is in space.”
The teachers are among 210 educators from around the world to be awarded scholarships to attend Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy. The 11 teachers represent five Central New York school districts: Chittenango Central, East Syracuse Minoa Central, LaFayette, Syracuse City, and West Genesee.
At the recognition event, the teachers and their families, school administrators, and Thomas were joined by seven Central New York alumni of Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy. The alumni described creative ways they bring the Space Academy training into the classroom.
“Expect that you will be changed,” said Sue Bingham, a 2010 graduate of Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy. “Expect to be challenged, expect to meet people of all different nationalities and personalities. Let your guard down early, talk to everybody, get to know people while at Space Academy, take risks.”
During the event, Onondaga County Legislator Judy Tassone presented the teachers with a proclamation in recognition of their acceptance into Space Academy.
“Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy provides teachers new tools to engage and motivate students,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “Central New York teachers who have attended Space Academy have incorporated innovative hands-on lessons into their classrooms and created some unique after-school programs, like rocket clubs. It is inspiring to see these teachers’ commitment to teaching the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
Since 2006, 21 Central New York teachers have been awarded scholarships to Space Academy.
In addition to the recognition event at the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center, Thomas, who earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University, addressed 250 students at LaFayette Junior/Senior High School and 160 students in the Syracuse City School District’s Lincoln Middle School earlier in the day.
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 is linked to science and math teaching standards.
Since the program’s inception, Honeywell and its employees have sponsored 1,756 scholarships enabling teachers from 45 countries and 50 U.S. states to participate inHoneywell 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 nonprofit 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.