Honeywell and NASA Launch 2010 Fall Tour of FMA Live!

Widely Acclaimed Hip-Hop Science Education Concert to Reach Over 16,000 Students during 10-Week Tour

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Aug 23, 2010, 11:11 ET

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) today announced the fall 2010 tour of their award-winning science education program FMA Live!

FMA Live! will perform in the following areas during the 2010 fall tour: Bentonville, AR; Olathe, KS; Coralville, IA; Albert Lea, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Elk River, MN; Grand Rapids, MN; Amery, WI; Chicago, IL; Mishawaka, IN, Saginaw, MI; Flint, MI; Middleville, MI; Cleveland, OH; Pottsville, PA; Lafayette Hill, PA; Weehawken, NJ; Middletown, CT; Woonsocket, RI, Cranston, RI.

FMA Live! is a collaboration between NASA and Honeywell and is the only nationally touring, multi-media, science-education production of its kind. Designed to make science relevant to kids' everyday lives, the program brings an authentic, live, hip-hop concert experience of unprecedented size and proportion to middle schools across the country. FMA Live! is completely underwritten by Honeywell and has traveled 78,800 miles, reaching more than 251,000 students at 730 middle schools in all 48 contiguous U.S. states and Canada.

According to www.whitehouse.gov, the United States is losing its scientific and technological dominance. Among industrialized nations, our country's scores on international science and math tests rank in the bottom third and bottom fifth, respectively. Over the last three decades, federal funding for the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences has declined at a time when other countries are substantially increasing their own research budgets.

"Recognizing the importance of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, we strive to peak student's interest in math and science education," said Tom Buckmaster, President of Honeywell Hometown Solutions. "FMA Live! innovative approach teaches the complexities of Newton's Law's of Motions and makes learning math and science fun, engaging, and relevant to the activities and experiences of middle-school aged students."

The innovative, traveling hip-hop science concert will reach over 16,000 students during its 10-week, 20-city tour of the United States. Named for Sir Isaac Newton's second law of motion (force = mass x acceleration) FMA Live! uses professional actors, original songs, music videos and interactive science demonstrations to teach middle school students Newton's three laws of motion and universal law of gravity.

FMA Live! addresses key learning objectives identified by the National Science Education Standards to increase student interest and participation in the sciences.

"FMA Live! performances are a wonderful resource for energizing students and encouraging them to study science, technology, engineering and math or STEM," said Jim Stofan, NASA's Associate Administrator for Education (Acting). "It's a partnership between NASA and Honeywell that shows students – in a really dynamic and entertaining way – how pursuing STEM studies can lead to rewarding and exciting careers."

During each FMA Live! performance, students, teachers and school administrators interact with three professional actors in front of a live audience to experience Newton's laws firsthand. A giant sticky wall is used to demonstrate inertia; go-carts driven across the stage illustrate action and reaction; and 'extreme' wrestling and a huge soccer ball show that force is determined by mass multiplied by acceleration. All three of Newton's laws are demonstrated simultaneously when a futuristic hover chair collides with a gigantic cream pie. Educator and student feedback is consistently and overwhelmingly positive after each tour stop.

FMA Live! has received an impressive seventeen awards for excellence since touring began in 2004. Most notably a Communicators Award in Special Event Plan, a Yahoo! Big Idea Award, BrandWeek's Gold Reggie Award for Best Community Outreach Campaign and the Diamond Award Winner for Best Cause Marketing Campaign. FMA Live! also received the gold SABRE award and was recognized as the best community relations program worldwide by The Holmes Group. The entire program, including the 18-wheel truck, tour bus and 10-person street team, is fully funded by Honeywell.

About Honeywell

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

About Honeywell Hometown Solutions

The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate social responsibility initiative which focuses on five issues of vital importance: Family Safety & Security; Housing & Shelter; Science & Math Education; Habitat & Conservation; and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please go to www.honeywell.com/hhs.