Teachers: Embark on an Ecosystems Expedition, Full Scholarships Available Now
By Mel Fabrikant Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 04:04 PM EDT
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) announced today that scholarships are available for the second annual Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education for Hudson and Bergen County middle and high school science and social studies teachers. The Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education is a one-week (August 17 – 21) summer institute, which combines classroom instruction with diverse outdoor experiences at sites throughout the Hackensack watershed.
During the program, teachers will explore forested and field habitats, take an eco-cruise through the Hackensack River, and seine in freshwater streams and tidal salt marshes with environmental educators and naturalists. The experiences will help teachers transform textbook curriculum into hands-on lessons that offer students a “learning-by-doing” approach to geology, watershed dynamics, habitat health, land use and human-ecosystems dependencies.
“With so much focus on climate change, green technologies and natural resource use, it is crucial to introduce teaching techniques that encourage students to take an active role in the world they will help shape. This program provides environment-based information as well as effective methods to engage students in building their own understanding of the world around them,” said Dale Rosselet, vice-president for Education, NJAS.
NJAS has a nearly 50-year history of teaching experience-based nature studies and conservationin the state. Teachers will gain practice using field study instruments and technologies, and discover creative methods to integrate natural system studies into their existing curriculum,among other things.
“The program provides lots of information, tangible examples, and useful tools that will help inspire kids in the classroom,” said Bergen County High School Teacher Craig Post, who participated in the program last August. “Students can explore their own backyards and apply what we teach in school."
Honeywell’s corporate citizenship initiative, Honeywell Hometown Solutions, and the NJAS strive to provide teachers with the resources to actively engage their students in the learning process.
“We are proud to partner with the New Jersey Audubon Society to bring programs that create new learning opportunities for teachers and students,” said Tom Buckmaster, president, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. “As one of the leading technology innovators and with nearly 50 percent of Honeywell’s product portfolio company-wide linked to energy efficiency, Honeywell is committed to inspiring the next-generation of innovators in careers in science, math, engineering, and environmental studies.”
Twenty-eight teachers will receive free tuition for the summer institute, classroom resource materials, a monetary stipend for program completion and 30 hours of professional development credit. The program is aligned with New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in Science and Social Studies. Registrations are due by June 5, 2009. Teachers who are interested in applying can visit www.njaudubon.com/Education/Summerinstitute.html or call (609) 861-0700 x13.
Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, which focuses on several areas of vital importance: Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Science & Math Education, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. More information on Honeywell Hometown Solutions can be found at: www.honeywell.com/hhs.
Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
