Down To Earth: Students Back From Space Camp (Video)

Mendham High School student Shawn James and Adam Pollack returned last week from the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy (HCLA) held at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

James and Pollack joined 254 students from 30 countries and 30 US states and territories on scholarships given out by Honeywell to attend the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program which ran twice from Feb. 26 to March 9.

HLCA provides children of Honeywell employees with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through technology- and science-oriented workshops, lectures, and team exercises that include simulated astronaut training that brings these studies to life. Developed in partnership with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the program is designed to encourage high school students to pursue STEM-related careers.

"This camp has really started to open my eyes to careers with math and science," James said.

Since 2010, Honeywell and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center have awarded more than 630 scholarships to students after rigorous application and review processes based on their academic achievement and community involvement.  All junior and senior level high school children of full-time Honeywell employees are eligible to apply. 

 “The program is designed to help develop a new generation of leaders, engineers, and scientists by honing their skills in purposeful leadership, effective communication, integrated planning, team trust and cohesion, and critical thinking,” said Tom Buckmaster, president, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. 

During the course of the program, students meet with scientists, engineers, and former astronauts to reinforce core leadership competencies and provide them with first-hand professional experiences.  Students engage in interactive challenges such as designing, building, and testing their own rockets, bridge structures, and DNA extraction experiments.  While Pollack took part in one of the heat shield experiments, James found the space shot to be the most memorable.

"It was that classic up and down ride," James said of the simulator. "And we also did the one where you spin the circle. Basically there is no gravity and you start floating up."