PASCAGOULA, Miss., Jan. 28, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has awarded five gulf coast school districts grants of $5,000 each to use for specific science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects. Each district will select a middle school within their district to implement and improve necessary STEM resources.
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"We are investing in a workforce and a community that has supported us for generations," Irwin F. Edenzon, sector vice president and general manager for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Gulf Coast, told the educators. "The shipyard is full of second and third generation shipbuilders, and we want to help create the next generation. We can do that by investing in our middle schools and helping our districts create more opportunities for their students in these fields."
Each school district provided details describing their STEM projects. Hancock County seeks to increase measurement knowledge and hands-on work to connect concrete and abstract science in students' minds. Harrison County, with an award to North Gulfport, aims to supplement career discovery classes. Mobile County's grant went to Phillips Preparatory School to update equipment allowing students to load daily news broadcasts to the school's Web site. Moss Point received funds for Magnolia Jr. High, providing alignment with the vocational/technological/scientific programs being offered at high school. And Pascagoula School District's grant went to Gautier Middle School, which will add to the knowledge that exists in the 2010 Mississippi Science Framework.
"We are very excited to receive this STEM grant as the Pascagoula School District continues its partnership with Northrop Grumman in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Wayne Rodolfich, superintendent of Pascagoula School District. "As educators, we know the importance of every student having a strong working knowledge in all of these subject areas. And through Northrop Grumman's generosity and commitment, we will continue to make great strides, both in the classroom, as students work toward high school graduation and successful careers in the working world, and in our Family Interactive Center where children and parents will gain hands-on experience in engineering, math and science."
If your school is interested in participating in the STEM grant program, visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/corporate-responsibility/corporate-citizenship/contribution-guidelines.html for information about the company's contributions guidelines, and an online application. Only one middle school STEM program will be selected for each district. Grant applications must be submitted by Aug. 31, 2009, and will be chosen by committee. The applications received earliest will be considered first.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
