Honeywell takes local teacher to Space & Rocket Centre

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Nico Wiggil, a teacher from Secunda, has been selected by Honeywell to participate in the highly prestigious 2006 Honeywell Educators at Space Academy programme from 16 to 28 June, 2006 at the US Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama.

Wiggil will join 200 science and maths teachers from 19 countries and 43 US states to complete an intensive educator curriculum focused on space science and exploration in addition to participating in real-life astronaut training. Each Honeywell Educator was awarded the prestigious scholarship following a rigorous application and selection process involving nearly 1000 competing teachers.

"The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy programme is designed to help teachers inspire the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths," said Jason Whitehead, regional general manager at Honeywell Southern Africa. "Honeywell is committed to providing students and teachers like Wiggil with programmes, experiences and resources that bring science to life in memorable, life-changing ways."

During the programme Wiggil will participate in a variety of activities including 40 hours of classroom, laboratory and field training. The Honeywell Educators will also have the unique opportunity to participate in astronaut training exercises including a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and a state-of-the-art flight dynamics programme.

"We are very grateful for the generous support we receive from Honeywell, a leading partner of the US Space & Rocket Centre," said Larry Capps, chief executive officer of the US Space & Rocket Centre. "Thanks to Honeywell, Wiggil will learn activities that he can take back and implement in his classroom."

Teachers applying for the Honeywell scholarships were required to submit a 500-word essay describing the tools and techniques they use to motivate students to study science-related fields and pursue technology-related careers. Financial contributions from more than 1700 Honeywell employees help support the scholarships, which include tuition for the five-day programme, roundtrip airfare, meals, accommodations and programme materials.

Nearly 250 teachers have graduated from the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy programme since its inception in 2004. Honeywell's science and maths education programmes have already reached nearly 100 000 students and teachers in 26 countries and 41 US states.

The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy programme is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's community outreach initiative which focuses on three issues of vital importance: Family Safety and Security; Housing and Shelter; and Science and Math Education. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programmes to address these needs in the communities it serves. Honeywell also partners with the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children on an abduction prevention programme, Got 2B Safe; and NASA on FMA Live, Where Science Rocks, and Rebuilding Together on home revitalisation projects for low-income homeowners.

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