Are you a middle school science or maths teacher looking for new and creative ways to bring STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – to life for your students? If so, the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA) programme could be a right fit for you.

Honeywell Hometown Solutions is now accepting applications to the all-expenses-paid 2017 HESA programme.

Hosted at the US Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama, this once-in-a-lifetime professional growth opportunity is designed to inspire teachers to develop a new generation of innovators and scientists in their classrooms, the company says.

“The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy is a truly unique program that enables educators to reinvigorate their classrooms with ideas, lessons, and other materials to create an unforgettable learning experience for the next generation of scientists in the Middle East,” said Norm Gilsdorf, president for Honeywell’s Middle East, Russia and Central Asia regions. “With the UAE aiming to be among the top countries worldwide in the field of space technology by 2021, we  hope that through this program, we can inspire and grow the expertise of the teachers in the Middle East and give them new skills and tools to encourage the next generation of learners.”

Introduced in 2004, the programme has taught more than 2,500 HESA alumni from 56 countries, creative strategies for engaging students in STEM education. The wide range of experiential activities includes astronaut-style exercises and simulations, building and testing rockets, meeting veteran astronauts and much more. Teachers can take their first-hand HESA experiences back to the classroom and inspire students to pursue STEM education and careers.

“During the five-day programme, educators participate in intensive classroom, laboratory, and training time, learning through simulated astronaut training and activities designed to promote life-long learning in a classroom setting. We are proud to offer this one-of-a-kind initiative that supports STEM education in the Middle East as well the region’s youth,” added Gilsdorf.

Past participants credit their HESA experience for helping them feel more confident developing a STEM curriculum for the first time at their schools, improving their STEM teaching methods, re-igniting their passion for STEM learning and increasing their desire to cultivate future scientists across the world.

The 2017 HESA programme dates are June 14-20 and June 21-27, 2017. Applications will be open till November 11, 2016. The scholarship includes tuition for the five-day programme, round-trip airfare, meals, accommodation and programme materials. Scholarship recipients will be notified by the week of January 9, 2017.

Additionally, for all 2004-2014 HESA alumni, Honeywell is currently seeking 2017 Ambassadors. If selected, you will have the opportunity to return to the USSRC, lead orientation sessions and meetings with 2017 HESA educators and participate in the Underwater Astronaut Training session. Two ambassadors will be chosen for each HESA week.
Applications for the Ambassadors program will open during the week of January 9, 2017.

Visit https://educators.honeywell.com/ to apply.  - TradeArabia News Service