Tampa, New Port Richey Students Attend Space Camp

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Students from around the world – including students from Tampa and New Port Richey – were selected to spend a week at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, as a part of the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy.

Now in its 10th year, HLCA inspires students ages 16 through 18 to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers through real-world, hands-on activities in coding, computer science and astronautics.

Honeywell hosted 296 students from 45 countries and 29 U.S. states and territories, all children of Honeywell employees, in HuntsvilleFeb. 23-27 and March 1-5 to take part in the 10th annual Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, offering hands-on activities, technology and science-oriented workshops, lectures and team exercises.

“I think that this experience will benefit me in the decision of my future education and career because I was able to learn so much and experience an abundance of different activities that I am now sure that I want to pursue engineering," said Sara Arroyave, a Robinson High School junior who plays soccer for her school and volunteers at the library. “My favorite activity at camp was probably the Space Mission because I was able to communicate with all of my team members and solve problems at the same time.”

“I’m excited about the hands-on aspect of engineering," said Joseph Bonga, a senior at Alonso High School who plays football, soccer and runs track and field. "Being able to innovate, to discover new things, to solve problems or to improve existing systems or products to make them more practical and efficient. Also, the interactions with other teammates from different engineering fields (mechanical, electrical, manufacturing software) peer reviewing each other and working together in a group project setting to achieve one set of goals.”

A side benefit, said Bonga was learning leadership and communication skills.

“I learned leadership and the importance of effective communication skills in a group setting," he said. "Good leadership and effective communication are contagious. If someone shows good leadership in a group, others will catch on and be more engaged in the activities. Effective communication helps reduce errors and any miscommunication.”

"For 10 years, Honeywell has sponsored students from around the world to travel to space camp and participate in real-world STEM experiences, helping to build their technical, collaborative, and communication skills," said Mike Bennett, Honeywell vice president of communications. "Today, the 30 fastest-growing occupations globally are in STEM, so Honeywell is proud to partner with the USSRC to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders."

Since the program was founded in 2010, Honeywell has sponsored nearly 3,000 students at space camp. Participants develop STEM leadership skills through numerous team-building challenges such as building, coding and testing rockets; simulated astronaut training; shuttle missions; and a low-gravity moonwalk. Students also use computational thinking and computer science to deepen their digital skills.

"We welcome the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center each year, with hundreds of diverse students joining us at space camp to share in our love of space, science, technology and more," said Louie Ramirez, CEO of the USSRC. "Through the immersive program, students learn skills and form relationships that will serve them in their lives ahead as they tackle new and unique challenges."

Students are selected through a rigorous application and review process based on academic achievement and community involvement. Honeywell and its employees help fund the scholarships, which cover the cost of tuition, meals, accommodations and program materials.

"Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy completely changed my priorities and gave me tangible things to work on to ensure I could become the best version of myself. I went home inspired and excited," said Bethan Jane Murray, an alumnus of the inaugural HLCA now working in engineering and industrial design with McKinsey & Company. "If it had not been for Space Camp, I would not be where I am today."