Honeywell and NASA Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Collaboration with FMA Live! Educational Series

Hip-hop physics show visiting military-affiliated middle schools throughout Columbia

News provided by

Honeywell

Apr 21, 2014, 12:52 ET

COLUMBIA, S.C., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and NASA are celebrating 10 years of collaboration with FMA Live! Forces in Motion a newly expanded, award-winning, hip-hop physics education program that inspires middle school students to learn and enjoy math and science in a compelling, fun and memorable way. The popular show is in high demand, having been performed before more than 350,000 students at 970 middle schools in all 48 contiguous U.S. states, as well as in Mexico and Canada. This week, the spring tour continues at three military-affiliated schools in Columbia, SC.

While the United States still has the world's largest pool of scientists and engineers, that lead is declining. In recent world rankings from the National Science Board, the United States lagged in science and math performance with high school students showing below-average math skills and ranking 26th in the world.

"Like many technology-based companies, Honeywell is concerned that too few U.S. students possess the necessary math and science skills to compete for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs in the 21st-century," said Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "When it comes to STEM areas of study, early access and understanding is crucial in helping get students on track for college and career success. The FMA Live! program is designed to do this - and to ultimately inspire future innovators with a teaching style that is modern, memorable and makes it fun for students."

"Each child needs to understand that a solid foundation in STEM can open doors they may not have known existed. Getting them excited is the first step – from there, the career possibilities are endless," said Dr. Roosevelt Y. Johnson, NASA Acting Associate Administrator for Education. "This has been a great collaboration between NASA and Honeywell, and I'm proud of how many students we've engaged through FMA Live! over the past 10 years."

Over the course of 10 weeks, the show, under the direction of Honeywell Hometown Solutions and NASA, will reach 30 public, private and military-affiliated middle schools in eight central and southeast U.S. states, including stops in: Houston, TX; Baton Rouge, LA; Hattiesburg, MS; Mobile, AL; Nashville, TN; Pulaski, VA; Columbia, SC; and Pensacola, Jacksonville, Miami and West Palm Beach, FL. A similar schedule is slated for the western part of the United States this fall.

About FMA Live!

Using live actors, hip-hop songs, music videos, interactive scientific demonstrations and video interviews with scientists and engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the show teaches Newton's Three Laws of Motion and Universal Laws of Gravity.

Honeywell and NASA created FMA Live! to inspire middle school students to explore STEM concepts and careers. The program addresses Forces and Motion learning objectives outlined by the Next Generation Science Education Standards for students in grades 5-8.

Through its Honeywell Hometown Solutions initiative, Honeywell has a number of award-winning programs focused on inspiring students at all grade levels to embrace STEM education.  The company chose physics for FMA Live! Forces in Motion, because studies have shown that the middle school years of education offer the best window of opportunity to get kids interested in STEM careers.

Supporting Resources:

For Educators:

  • The new FMA Live! Forces in Motion features a teachers' lounge, which provides:
    • National Science Standards-based teaching resources
    • Downloadable streaming videos
    • Music from the show
    • A comprehensive educational guide with lesson plans
  • Educators interested in having FMA Live! visit their school can fill out the online application here.

About Honeywell Hometown Solutions
FMA Live! Forces in Motion is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative, which focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com/.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (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; turbochargers; and performance 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.

Media Contact: 
Cecilia Tejeda 
(973) 455-3450 
[email protected]

SOURCE Honeywell