Honeywell And NASA Launch Hip-Hop Physics Show For Middle School Students In Buffalo Public Schools

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE:HON) and NASA are launching FMA Live! Forces in Motion, a newly expanded version of the 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 show will visit two Buffalo Public Schools this week. The show will be performed on October 24 for Southside Elementary School students, and October 25 for Math Science Technology and Preparatory School students.

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 FMA Live! show teaches Newton's Three Laws of Motion and Universal Laws of Gravity.

"FMA Live! brings physics to life by using real-life examples that are relevant to today's world, giving students the dose of inspiration needed to turn them on to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)," said Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "We are proud to partner with NASA and the Buffalo Public Schools on this program."

"FMA Live! is a great vehicle toward gaining student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through high-powered, entertaining illustrations of STEM properties in action," said Superintendent Pamela C. Brown.  "I am a firm believer in using a 'whatever it takes' attitude to engage students and infuse them with the knowledge they need to succeed. Our objective in the Buffalo Public Schools is to offer students a world-class education as they make their way into a global economy."

The name of the show comes from Newton's Second Law of Motion: that Force = Mass x Acceleration.

Over the course of 10 weeks, the show will reach 30 middle schools in nine northeast and central U.S. states, including stops in: Buffalo, Syracuse, and Brooklyn, NY; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Paramus, NJ; Euclid, Ohio; Gross Point, MI; Oak Lawn, IL; and Cedar Rapids, IA. 

"Having a sound background in the laws of physics is a critical component of a student's education and can open up a whole new world of opportunity," said Leland Melvin, NASA 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!  I have no doubt that many of those students are future NASA scientists who were just waiting to be inspired."

The popular show is in high demand, and has been performed before 320,000 students at 900 middle schools in all 48 contiguous U.S. states, as well as in Mexico and Canada.

Like many technology-based companies, Honeywell is concerned that too few students have the necessary math and science skills to compete for jobs in the 21st-century. 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! because studies have shown that the middle school years of education offer the best window of opportunity to get kids interested in STEM careers.

To learn more about FMA Live! visit the new FMALive.com website, which includes National Science Standards-based teaching resources, downloadable streaming videos, music from the show, and a comprehensive educational guide with lesson plans. Whether combined with the live show or used separately, the site contains a lasting set of tools to support the Forces and Motion curriculum, a vital building block of physics and engineering education. 

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:

Brian A. Gould
On behalf of Honeywell
716-854-8182 (office) or 716-491-8398 (cell)
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Cecilia Tejeda
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SOURCE Honeywell