NEW YORK: Dharamvir Gehlaut, a math teacher of Long Island City High School, Queens, New York was among the 185 teachers chosen for the 2012 Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama. The professional development program held between June 22 and 28 was designed to help middle school math and science educators become more effective science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers.
The teachers came from across the US and around the world especially for the program held in Huntsville, Alabama at Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy. The academy, which the teachers won scholarships to attend, is held through a partnership between the Space & Rocket Center and Honeywell International.
Teachers from as close as Hackleburg and as far away as Africa took part in 45 hours of intensive classroom work, labs and training – including simulated astronaut training – focused on space exploration.
Dharmvir Gehlaut, a math teacher who hails from Delhi said the program is unlike anything he’s ever experienced. “It is an awesome opportunity for all of the teachers from around the globe. The education and training provided at the academy is not something that teachers in India could ever hope to receive,” Gehlaut said.
The Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program was launched in 2004, said Sophie Yem, a spokeswoman for Honeywell. According to the program’s website, it has since graduated more than 1,650 educators from 45 countries and 50 states.
The chosen class of teachers also had the opportunity to meet Congressman Mo Brooks, who was at the Space & Rocket Center to visit with them and 60 science teachers from across Alabama.
Brooks told the Honeywell group that he understands the challenges of their vocation. His mother was a teacher, as are his wife and daughters. “We very much appreciate your work throughout the world teaching our children,” Brooks said. Gehlaut, a former newspaper reporter in India and New York, spent a few minutes talking politics with Brooks.
Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy is a professional development program designed for teachers to learn new and innovative techniques to educate their students about science and math. This summer, approximately 200 teachers will participate to become the program’s class of 2012, which will then be part of an impressive network of more than 1,650 graduates from 45 countries and 50 states.
All costs associated with travel, tuition, room and board is sponsored by Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, and the contributions of its employees.
Prakash M Swamy
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