Sue Bimgham and her class
CAMILLUS -- A math teacher at West Genesee Middle School received a big surprise in class Wednesday morning.
Sue Bingham was told in front of her class that she was awarded a scholarship to attend classes at the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program. The program runs from June 11-17 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Bingham was one of 220 teachers selected worldwide for the program sponsored by technology company Honeywell.
"Through the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy program we have trained more than 1,100 science and math teachers to become more engaging and inspiring educators." said Thomas Buckmaster, President of Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "This unique hands-on learning experience reinvigorates science, technology, engineering and math education in classrooms around the globe."
Bingham has reason to be excited. She says attending the camp will help make her a better math teacher. "It's exciting to me to think that there are still discoveries that we need to make that students can be inspired by," she says.
The program is sponsored by Honeywell. John McCaulife says sending teachers like Bingham to Space Camp is part of the company's efforts to help students across the country become more interested in math and science. "It's great to see teachers get kids enthusiastic about careers in math and science because we have a shortage of scientists and engineers in this country today" he says.
Bingham is one of three teachers from Central New York to be selected to attend Space Camp. Though the course is only a week Bingham hopes the lessons she learns there will last a lifetime.
"I'm really excited about the idea of being with other teachers and learning about space and rocketry and all of the things that are naturally exciting to the kids and me," she says.
According to Honeywell, the program was created in 2004 in partnership with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The company says its designed to help teachers move beyond standard math and science curriculum by providing them with supplemental teaching techniques developed through actual astronaut training.
