Honeywell ignites STEM interest through interactive space camp experience for 320 students

As part of the leadership programme, Honeywell hosted students for two consecutive, weeklong programmes, February 25 through March 10, 2017, at the US Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy aims to encourage excitement and engagement around science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects for students between the ages of 16-18. The programme is packed with hands-on activities such as building and testing rockets, simulated astronaut training, shuttle missions, and a moon walk. The programme is designed to educate students on the importance of STEM in an ever-changing, connected world.

Trainees of Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the US Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama

This year, Nham Bao Khanh from Nguyen Tat Thanh High School in Hanoi becomes the second student from Vietnam that was selected to attend the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy. “It was the first time I’ve ever tried building a model rocket, and experienced what it’s like to walk on the moon,” said Khanh. “I had chance to hone my leadership by dealing with practical situations. Also, hands-on activities really encougared me to explore the fascination of STEM.”

Nham Bao Khanh at the USSRC

Nham Bao Khanh with Team Determination participating in Rocket Launching (front row, first on the right)

The focus on STEM-based career opportunities is integral to the values of Honeywell and its employees. During the programme, astronauts and engineers share their personal journeys and career experiences with students.

“The act of bringing this global Honeywell community together with Space Camp allows these students to plan for a future of improving life on our planet and beyond,” said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and executive director of USSRC. “They bring the best of their diverse cultures to Space Camp, where they will use teamwork and technology to prepare them for a future they have yet to imagine.”

“Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is designed to inspire students to become tomorrow’s science, math and engineering leaders,” said Michael A. Bennett, president of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative. “We want to give these students a passion to fuel their generation’s technological contributions to the world.”

Since its launch in 2010, Honeywell, in partnership with the USSRC, has awarded 2,090 scholarships to students of Honeywell employees. Scholarships are granted after a rigorous application and review process based on academic achievement and community involvement. Financial contributions from Honeywell and its employees fund the scholarships, which cover the cost of tuition, meals, accommodations and programme materials.

Honeywell continues to improve learning environment of Vietnamese students Honeywell and Mountainous Underprivileged Students Fund, a charity programme that focuses on underprivileged students in Vietnam’s mountainous region, recently completed a project that will significantly improve the learning environment for 2,000 students in four primary schools in Thanh Hoa and Lao Cai provinces.

Honeywell space programme promotes new teaching methods Teachers of mathematics and science around the world, including Vietnam, are invited to apply for the 2016 Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy (HESA) programme, a simulated astronaut training and professional development programme of US technology giant Honeywell at the US Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama.

Honeywell awards scholarships to leading Vietnamese students The Honeywell UOP business under US-based technology and manufacturing giant Honeywell has just awarded 15 scholarships to students at leading Vietnamese universities, further extending the company’s efforts to boost education in the field of chemical engineering and refining technology in the Southeast Asian country.

One Vietnamese teacher to join 2015 Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy More than 200 teachers from around the world, including one from southern Vietnam, are gearing up to take the trip of a lifetime to Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy (HESA), the game-changing experience that inspires teachers to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and careers.