BALTIMORE, March 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whether they're building pasta bridges or participating in gravity egg drop challenges, elementary, middle and high school students throughout the greater Baltimore area will be learning first-hand about engineering-related careers this spring from teams of engineers at Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) through the Discover "E" (E stands for engineering) program.
The National Society of Professional Engineers introduced Discover "E" many years ago as part of an outreach effort to get more students interested in engineering. Northrop Grumman has been a major sponsor of Discover "E" in the Baltimore area for the past 20 years in an effort to help address a critical national need to identify, cultivate and motive the engineers of tomorrow.
This year, more than 200 volunteer engineers from the company's Linthicum-based Electronic Systems sector will visit 130 local schools in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties to share their engineering experiences, discuss potential careers in engineering, and involve the students in hands-on, science-related classroom projects and activities. Each school visited will receive a $750 check from Northrop Grumman to be used by that school in support of math and science-related programs and activities.
Since the program began at Northrop Grumman in Baltimore, more than 3,000 employee volunteers have visited more than 1,700 schools in Maryland communities with the goal to better familiarize students with the field of engineering.
"Engineers are so vitally critical to ensuring the future quality of life for all of us, including the security of our nation," said Rick Schmaley, vice president of human resources and administration at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "These employee volunteers at Northrop Grumman have a tremendous energy and knowledge around engineering and, during the next few months, students will have an opportunity to see for themselves what the excitement is all about."
The National Engineers Week Foundation, a formal coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations and government agencies, is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers among young students and by promoting pre-college literacy in math and science. Engineers Week also raises public understanding and appreciation of engineers' contributions to society.
"The commitment of Northrop Grumman's employee volunteers in support of science, technology, engineering and math-related educational outreach activities is absolutely amazing and something to see," said Leslie Collins, executive director of the National Engineers Week Foundation. "Whether they are teaching students engineering through hands-on learning or just sharing stories about what engineers do each day, these engineers bring an energy level to the classroom that is contagious."
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.