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March 09, 2006
Jim O'Leary, Honeywell Headquarters Spokesperson, Honeywell Hometown Solutions, 3/8/06
On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush unveiled a new vision for space exploration in order to "gain a new foothold on the moon and to prepare for new journeys to the worlds beyond our own."
NASA calculates that the first human to walk on Mars is currently sitting in a middle or elementary school classroom somewhere in the United States. However, student aptitude and interest in math and science is on the decline. Studies show that American eighth graders have fallen far behind their peers in other countries. Enrollment in technical courses is declining at American colleges and universities while jobs in technology are growing at a rate of three times that of all other careers combined.
As a global technology leader, Honeywell recognizes the importance of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. That’s why Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the philanthropic arm of Honeywell, joined together with NASA on a breakthrough program called FMA Live!. Named for Sir Isaac Newton’s Second Law (Force = Mass X Acceleration), FMA Live! is an award-winning multimedia science education show that travels the United States using live actors, hip hop music, videos, and scientific demonstrations to teach kids about Newton’s Laws of Motion and Gravity in a compelling and memorable way. Launched in March 2004, FMA Live! targets middle school children and energizes their interest in math and science though an unprecedented combination of original songs, high-energy demonstrations, and student interaction.
Honeywell and NASA are committed to helping young people appreciate the relevance of science, math, engineering, and technology to their lives, and to the future of our nation. Much like Newton’s Laws of Physics, the program is designed to set students’ minds into motion and encourage greater involvement in the sciences.
Jim O’Leary manages several of Honeywell’s community relations programs including the award-winning FMA Live! hip-hop science education program. He is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative which focuses on three areas of vital importance: Family Safety and Security; Housing and Shelter; and Science and Math Education. Together with leading public and nonprofit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in its communities.
Posted by David Lemberg at March 9, 2006 04:46 PM Return to SCIENCE AND SOCIETY home page