I've been collecting information now for some time about what companies are doing to help prevent and ameliorate the coming shortage of scientists, engineers and mathematicians, without whom we will be unable to control even our increasingly automated manufacturing plants.
Basically, companies expend their education and charitable giving resources in one of two ways in this area. It seems that only some companies do both.
Emerson Process Management is the undisputed king of giving to colleges, universities and technical trade schools, as near as I can tell. They have donated millions of dollars worth of field instruments and DeltaV systems, or sold them to academic institutions at cost, depending on the need of the particular institution. In particular, they've donated to the three North American Fieldbus education centers a whole lot.
What Emerson does is the template for the first way to expend education resources: support actual engineering education. This must be done. Thank you for being part of the solution. Please don't stop.
Other companies focus on "getting them while they're young." In addition to grants to colleges and universities, National Instruments (as I have reported before, and as you will hear in an upcoming podcast to be released next week) believes it is important to help canalize young people into the engineering, science and maths professions early. AutomationDirect and others do the same thing.
I've described what Boeing did for Sawyer Woods Elementary School in Black Diamond, Wash., when my daughter was a student there: they provided a helicopter for the "egg drop" project for Science Fair. How many of those third-grade "engineers" will continue in the sciences? Well, in my humble opinion, a lot more of them than if we ignore them until they are in college.
If you think I'm comparing what each company is doing to what others do, well, as Homer Simpson would say, "D'oh!" Remember, though, that it is only for the purpose of encouraging all the automation, in fact, all the process industry companies, to outdo themselves and each other in helping to create new generations of scientists, engineers and mathematicians who can run our plants better and more efficiently every year.
If all the automation companies were to have an outdo contest over who can have the most impact on science and engineering education, it would be an "everybody wins" contest.
In line with that, I offer the following press release I received on Wednesday from Honeywell:
Honeywell Awards Science and Math Education Scholarships to Leading Teachers
Company Sending 200 Science and Math Teachers from 19 Countries and 43 U.S. States to Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program
Honeywell announced today that it has awarded scholarships to 200 teachers from 19 countries and 43 U.S. states to attend the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program from June 16 to June 28, 2006 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The global group of teachers will complete an intensive educator curriculum focused on space science and exploration in addition to participating in real-life astronaut training. Each Honeywell Educator was awarded the prestigious scholarship following a rigorous application and selection process involving nearly 1,000 competing teachers.
"The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program is designed to help teachers inspire the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math," said Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "Honeywell is committed to providing students and teachers with programs, experiences and resources that bring science to life in memorable, life-changing ways."
During the program each Honeywell Educator will participate in a variety of activities including 40 hours of classroom, laboratory and field training. They will also have the unique opportunity to participate in astronaut training exercises including a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and a state-of-the-art flight dynamics programs.
"We are very grateful for the generous support we receive from Honeywell, a leading partner of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center," said Larry Capps, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. "Thanks to Honeywell, teachers from around the world will come together to learn activities that they can take back and implement in their classrooms."
Teachers applying for the Honeywell scholarships were required to submit a 500-word essay describing the tools and techniques they use to motivate students to study science-related fields and pursue technology-related careers. Financial contributions from more than 1,700 Honeywell employees help support the scholarships, which include tuition for the five-day program, roundtrip airfare, meals, accommodations and program materials.
Nearly 250 teachers have graduated from the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program since its inception in 2004. Honeywell's science and math education programs have already reached nearly 100,000 students and teachers in 26 countries and 41 U.S. states.
The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's community outreach initiative which focuses on three issues of vital importance: Family Safety and Security; Housing and Shelter; and Science and Math Education. Together with leading public and non- profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. Honeywell also partners with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on an abduction prevention program, Got 2B Safe!; and NASA on FMA Live! Where Science Rocks; and Rebuilding Together on home revitalization projects for low-income homeowners.
The following teachers were selected to participate in the 2006 Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program.
Carole McKee (Anchorage, AK)
Leslie Rollings (Florence AL)
Arlene Seale (Queen Creek, AZ)
Jude Burnett (Cave Creek, AZ)
Julie Baumgartner (Phoenix, AZ)
Patricia Olson (Tucson, AZ)
Staci Fletcher (Mesa, AZ)
Tim Johnson (Scottsdale, AZ)
Annette Pirouznia (Gilbert, AZ)
Erica McClurg (Phoenix, AZ)
Erin Gasior (Leveen, AZ)
Janelle Chisholm (Phoenix, AZ)
LaFawn Berry (Queen Creek, AZ)
Paul Strauss (Phoenix, AZ)
Andrea Farrow (Temecula, CA)
Judith Petix (Los Angeles, CA)
Caryn Zimmermann (Placentia, CA)
Kurt Hay (Rolling Hills, CA)
Julie Courtier (Colorado Springs, CO)
Susan Corrigan (Colorado Springs, CO)
Leah Segura (Colorado Springs, CO)
Stuart Sharack (Waterford, CT)
Sharon Densler (Camden, DE)
Karen Woodhouse, (Clearwater, FL)
Kerri Shashack (Lutz, FL)
Lisa Brennan (Sunrise, FL)
Lisa Rychel (Tampa, FL)
Maria Hanrahan (Parkland, FL)
Nancy Stitt (St. Petersburg, FL)
Nicholas Kapetanis (Lighthouse Point, FL)
Tracey Roberts (Plantation, FL)
Kathleen Foy (Del Ray Beach, FL)
Laura Hunter (St. Petersburg, FL)
Pamela Mozdy-Allen (Largo, FL)
Timothy Estep (Bradenton, FL)
Jan Hersh (Alpharetta, GA)
Stanley Adkins (Lithonia, GA)
Tinell Priddy (Kailua, HI)
Alvin Andrew (Oakley, ID)
Nicole Culpin (Ridott, IL)
Mary Ellen Modica (Lena, IL)
Stacy Baker (Edwards, IL)
Ann Blythe (Gurnee, IL)
Cheryl Robinson (Sterling, IL)
Joy Reeves (Homewood, IL)
Brad Lowell (Fishers, IN)
Daniel Renckly (Fishers, IN)
Jeffrey Harrison (Fishers, IN)
Jill Fabiano (Fishers, IN)
David Maneth (Wichita, KS)
Angelique Sanford (Olathe, KS)
Brenda Kuhns (Wichita, KS)
Stacy Duncan (Walton, KY)
Joan Thibodaux (Thibodaux, LA)
Susan Superson (East Longmeadow, MA)
David Cox (Westminster, MD)
Lisa Kelly (Westminster, MD)
Alayne Swimpson (Mitchellville, MD)
Randy Hubbard (Annapolis, MD)
Anders Hill (McBain, MI)
Kent Brandt (Burton, MI)
Carlton Bishop (Charlevoix, MI)
Linda Williams (Traverse City, MI)
Frank Meuers (Plymouth, MN)
Ian Llanas (Minneapolis, MN)
Jennifer Dietz (Delana, MN)
John Hoven (Woodbury, MN)
Michael Burke (Lakeville, MN)
Ryan Payne (Clearwater, MN)
Christina Falkenstein (St. Paul, MN)
Gary Taylor (Lake Bronson, MN)
Kelly McQuay (Blaine, MN)
Kevin Swanson (Shoreview, MN)
Michelle Stefanacci (New Hope, MN)
Robert Rand (St. Louis Park, MN)
Christine Russell (Independence, MO)
Deanna Brown (Lee's Summit, MO)
Erica Prater (Belton, MO)
Rita Crocker (Holden, MO)
Stephanie Buscher (Manchester, MO)
Cheryl Gragert (Bridgeton, MO)
Christine Buehre (Kansas City, MO)
Kari Johnson (Kansas City, MO)
Kevin Youngblood (Nixa, MO)
Jamie Guile (Fall River, MS)
Lloyd Magnuson (Butte, MT)
Brian Dunagan (Troutman, NC)
David Mense (Trent Woods, NC)
Jennifer Koch (Raleigh, NC)
Ed Simons (Hankinson, ND)
Tarra Beyer (Omaha, NE)
David Auerbach (Canaan, NH)
Denise Biggins (Bergenfield, NJ)
Ellen Corbiere (Lincoln Park, NJ)
Melanie Defillippis (Old Bridge, NJ)
Stephanie Fisher (Weekhawken, NJ)
Marie Guerrero (Jersey City, NJ)
Barbara Henderson (Chatham, NJ)
Eric Milask (Marlton, NJ)
Marie Papaleo (River Edge, NJ)
Peter Realmuto (Nutley, NJ)
Magdolen Sleman (Fords, NJ)
Melissa Hutt (Rio Rancho, NM)
Dan Davis (Las Cruces, NM)
Michele Ramsey (Las Cruces, NM)
Christina Carter (Reno, NV)
Kamele Johnson (Bronx, NY)
Nils Sorensen (Warwick, NY)
Kathy Conese (Liverpool, NY)
Carrie Stanfort (West Chester, OH)
Jason Dennison (Cincinnati, OH)
Jill Weaver (Ketering, OH)
Karen McCarthy (Uniontown, OH)
David Ternet (Canal Fulton, OH)
Laura Lakocy (Elyira, OH)
Thomas Jenkins (Enon, OH)
Lisa Seay (Sand Springs, OK)
Tracey Purdum (Owasso, OK)
Kate Colwell (Noble, OK)
Kemmery Morrow (Jenks, OK)
Joseph Adams (Dublin, PA)
Kimberly Malehorn, Hanover, PA
Cherie Wallace (Bensalem, PA)
Christie Orlosky (Shelocta, PA)
Kris Mooney (Columbia, SC)
Tina Jaton (Mitchell, SC)
Amanda Hill (Decherd, TN)
Jeffrey Schofil (Tullahoma, TN)
Deidra Jallo (Paris, TX)
James Scott (Austin, TX)
Mary Hearnsberger (Katy, TX)
Aida Castorena (El Paso, TX)
Pamela Payne-Winfield (Dallas, TX)
Tommye Rafes (Ponder, TX)
Derek Beer (Centerville, UT)
Sybil Jemmett (West Point, UT)
Helen Boothe (Moseley, VA)
Sharon Hoffert (Midlothian, VA)
Margaret Stevens (Midlothian, VA)
Tamara Johnson (Midlothian, VA)
Jamie Johnson, (Tacoma, WA)
Jessica Van Son (Longview , WA)
Logan Carstensen (Hudson, WI)
Brenda Davis (Delbarton, WV)
Dan Cosgrove (Chloe, WV)
Neil Smith (New South Wales, Australia)
Erwin De Donder (Brussels, Belgium)
Johnny Plevoets (Belgium)
Brenda Collins (Ontario, Canada)
Cherry Harbin (Newfoundland, Canada)
Darren Hutchings (Newfoundland, Canada)
Shelly Korab (Ontario, Canada)
Robert Major (Newfoundland, Canada)
Michael Tobin (Newfoundland, Canada)
Juntang Fan (Beijing, China)
Jaroslav Cizek (Zlin, Czech Republic)
Rostislav Halas (Prostejov, Czech Republic)
Frantisek Jachim (Volyne, Czech Republic)
Martin Kominek (Horovice, Czech Republic)
Eva Pazourkova (Brao, Czech Republic)
Ivana Prochazkova (Policka, Czech Republic)
Sarka Richterkova (Olomouc, Czech Republic)
Vladimira Zakrevska (Zlin, Czech Republic)
Bob Frost, (Kent, England)
Paul Pearce (Christchurch , England)
Oliver Wooley (East Sussex, England)
Christof Molkner (Baden-Wurrtemberg, Germany)
Thorsten Witt (Niedersachsen, Germany)
Primrose, Cofe (Winneba, Ghana)
Sandra Dunlap (Comayagua, Honduras)
Julia Kuczik (Satoraljaujhely, Hungary)
Sujata Deshpande (Pune, India)
Venkatrao Hari (Pune, India)
Shailja Kajale (Pune, India)
Aarti Patil (Pune, India)
Bharati Sahasrabudhe (Pune, India)
Reenu Siraj (Pune, India)
Jyoti Venkatesh (Bangalore, India)
Nasim Unnisa (Bangalore, India)
KrishnaReddy Shamanna (Bangalore, India)
Jean Cusack (Waterford, Ireland)
Oliver Kiely (Waterford, Ireland)
Gerard Lohan (Waterford, Ireland)
Roisin O'Donohoe (Wexford, Ireland)
Rafal Fanti (Warsaw, Poland)
Anna Olsza (Warsaw, Poland)
Krzysztof Sikora (Warsaw, Poland)
Luis Barbeiro (Aveiro, Portugal)
Branco Ivan (Arad, Romania)
Petronela Ilas (Iasi, Romania)
Eftenoiu Mihaela (Bucharest, Romania)
Rodica Perjoiu (Iasi, Romania)
Dorina Szatmari (Bihor, Romania)
Maria Toma Badeand (Targoviste, Romania)
Antonia Irina Tudorascu (Bucharest, Romania)
Cornelia Paraschiva Zamfirescu (Bucharest, Romania)
Paul McKendrick (Glasgow, Scotland)
Wiggil Nico (Secunda, South Africa)
Jordi Piquer (Tarragona, Spain)
Jane Bailey (Vaud, Switzerland)
And for the nitpicker (sorry, you didn't leave your name last time), yes, I know this is Honeywell corporate, not HPS...but HPS pays its share of this program, just like EPM pays for its share of Emerson corporate charities.
