March 09, 2009

Sonja Alexander
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1761
sonja.r.alexander{at}nasa.gov

Lisa Mata
Honeywell International, Morris Township, N.J.
973-455-4248
lisa.mata{at}honeywell.com


RELEASE: 09-052

NASA AND HONEYWELL LAUNCH 2009 FMA LIVE! SPRING TOUR

WASHINGTON -- NASA and Honeywell are kicking off the Spring 2009 tour
of their award-winning science education program FMA LIVE!

This innovative, traveling hip-hop science concert will reach more
than 17,000 middle-school aged students during its 10-week, 20 city
tour of the United States. Named for Sir Isaac Newtons'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.

Created in 2004, FMA Live! is a collaboration between NASA and
Honeywell International of Morristown, N.J. It is the only nationally
touring, multi-media, science-education production of its kind.

"Our nation's future scientists, engineers and explorers are in
middle
school classrooms today," said Joyce Winterton, NASA's assistant
administrator for Education. "The NASA Honeywell innovative
partnership, represented by the FMA Live! production and its 2009
tour, makes science, technology, engineering and mathematics relevant
to students. FMA Live!'s dynamic performers capture the attention of
students and inspires them to learn, work hard in school and prepare
for science and engineering 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
"Science and math education are top priorities for Honeywell and
NASA," said Tom Buckmaster, president of Honeywell Hometown
Solutions. "With FMA Live! we help students learn about science and
math in a fun and engaging way and inspire them to become the next
generation of engineers and scientists."

For more information about the program and for touring dates and
locations, visit:

http://www.fmalive.com

For information about NASA education opportunities, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

-end-
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32