Honeywell has invited six UAE-based teachers at a special ‘Flight Suit Ceremony’ held at the Think Science Fair 2018, ahead of their participation in the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA) professional development programme being held at a NASA training facility in the United States in June 2018.
Asma Al Maqdi from the Applied Technology High School in Al Ain, Muhammad Usman Farooq from the International Community School in Abu Dhabi, Abir Obeid from the International School of Creative Science in Sharjah, Raychouni Bassam from Greenwood International School in Dubai, and teachers Heba Khodier and Hoda Alawady from Dubai’s Al Khaleej National School will join hundreds of teachers from around the world for an all-expense paid, weeklong programme at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama, that promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
Several of the UAE-based teachers participating in the 2018 HESA programme were encouraged to apply by Emirates Foundation, after taking part in the 2017 Think Science Competition as supervisors and mentors of youth projects. The teachers underwent a rigorous and competitive application process to secure their places, going up against applicants from dozens of countries.
“As a premier software-industrial company, Honeywell is firmly committed to supporting the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in science, technology and innovation. We help enable these goals through programmes like the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy, where we invest in the teachers and classrooms of today, to create the scientists, engineers, and programmers of tomorrow,” said Norm Gilsdorf, President, Honeywell, Middle East, Russia, Turkey and Central Asia. “Last year, four UAE-based teachers were selected to participate in the HESA program, and we are proud to send a group of six this year, who will join educators from around the world who are committed to creating impactful STEM learning experiences for their students.”
The Foundation’s CEO Maytha Al Habsi, added: “Honeywell is one of Emirates Foundation’s key strategic and long-term partners, and as part of our joint commitment to contribute to STEM advancement in the UAE, we are delighted to have encouraged UAE-based teachers to join the US-based Honeywell Educators at Space Academy training programme. This world-class programme has enabled them to gain cutting-edge skills and know-how in science, technology and engineering to nurture tomorrow’s innovators who will lead our nation to become a top global science and technology leader.”
HESA was created in 2004 by Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, in partnership with the USSRC. HESA has graduated 2,776 educators from 62 countries and 52 U.S. states and territories since it launched.
During the programme, the teachers will experience 45 hours of classroom, laboratory and field-training activities. This includes simulated astronaut training exercises, high-performance jet simulations, scenario-based space missions, coding, rocket building and flying programmes that will provide unique lessons for them to bring back to their students in the UAE.
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