Osizweni specialist visits America

EVANDER – Mr Ableman Garwe, a science specialist from the Osizweni Science Centre, was among the 200 science and mathematics practitioners from 43 states and 27 countries who took part in the two-week Space Camp in America recently.

This was in celebration of the 10th Annual Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy (HESA) programme.

The academy was created in partnership with the US Space and Rocket Centre (USSRC) and the programme takes place at the US Space and Rocket Centre (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama annually.

It is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative that focuses on five areas of vital importance.

These are family safety and security, housing and shelter, science and mathematics education, habitat and conservation and humanitarian relief.

This professional development programme is designed to help science and mathematics practitioners from around the world become more effective in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through participation in 45 hours of intensive classroom, laboratory and training time, focusing on space science and exploration.

Participants were empowered with supplemental teaching techniques through simulated astronaut training and innovative educational tools that help bring science to life in the classroom.

Practitioners have applied to become part of the programme.

Their applications were based on them being able to convince the panel that exposure to this programme will impact on their educational activities.

Mr Garwe was privileged to have been selected.

“The training included everything from land and water survival training to high-tech flight simulations and space missions.

“The workshops and classroom activities were taught by crew trainers and in some cases personnel from the Nasa Education Resource Centre.

“Participants were granted access to a number of educational resources.”

Mr Garwe said the simulations were his favourite part of the experience as they tied everything back to their classes and to what they can do to get pupils interested in science and technology.

“That was the purpose of the programme, to ignite that fire pupils already have. The intensity of the five days at camp builds long-term friendships and opportunities for collaboration.

“There is so much networking between most of us and I am grateful to have this kind of professional development.”

Mr Garwe is responsible for organising and implementing instructional programmes for Grades 10 to 12 that enable pupils to achieve academic success and stimulate interest in physical sciences and mathematics.