Boeing hosts Educators from Around the World for Week-long Space Camp

Boeing this week sent more than 90 teachers from around the world to the 17th Annual Boeing Educators to Space Camp program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.

The Boeing Educators to Space Camp program uses space exploration initiatives to enhance teachers' skills in presenting math, science and technology lessons that will inspire students and help ensure a skilled workforce for a globally competitive technology market.

"We want to work with the world's educators to inspire students and use space exploration as a way to help spark their interest in math and science," said Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration. "By sponsoring educators to Space Camp, Boeing is helping the students of today become the citizens of the future and the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers."

The teachers will complete hands-on workshops that include simulated space missions, astronaut training, and presentations by rocketry and space exploration experts. The workshops help bring the excitement of real-world engineering challenges to student levels for a better understanding of scientific and mathematic principles. The teachers also will receive resources to implement in the classroom to help their students meet national standards for science, math and technology.

Boeing worked with U.S. and international education institutions who selected more than 90 applicants from 12 countries for the week-long course -- the largest group of educators from the most countries to date. Since 1992, more than 600 teachers have participated in Boeing's annual program, reaching an estimated 30,000 students around the world.

"Space Camp provides a hands-on learning environment where the excitement of science, math and technology are explored and practiced through the mysteries and wonders of space," said Katrine Balch, director of Education at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. "For educators, Space Camp provides a place to become a learner again and to join with other educators who share the same passions for teaching and learning."

After graduating from Space Camp on July 12, each teacher will return home with CD-ROMs filled with lesson plans and additional program materials to use in the classroom. The graduates also will receive information for online educator resources to facilitate continued networking with their fellow camp attendees. Additionally, Boeing is requiring participants to work with their school administrators to develop a plan describing how they intend to implement what they learned at the camp in their school or district.

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