Aims To Put K-12 Students On Paths To Engineering Careers

Lockheed Martin's two North Texas business units will support local activities to promote math and science education for students during National Engineers Week, February 17-23. Through fun, hands-on activities, K-12 students will learn about engineering and engineering careers.

Outreach activities include making classroom presentations on engineering, engaging students in discussions on engineering careers, and providing teachers activity guides that involve engineering principles.

"At Lockheed Martin, almost half of our 140,000 employees are scientists and engineers, and our ability to inspire youth to pursue technology and science careers goes to the heart of our ability to innovate and thrive -- not just as a company, but as a nation," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Bob Stevens.

Throughout the week, employees at Aeronautics in Fort Worth and Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie will reach out to more than 15,000 North Texas students in all grade levels to demonstrate how engineers impact our everyday lives.

National Engineers Week presents an ideal opportunity to reach out to students, from kindergarten through college, with activities in schools and in the community. Supported by a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, educational and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies, National Engineers Week is dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers' positive contributions to our quality of life.

Activities throughout the week promote recognition amongst parents, teachers and students in the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy, motivating youths to pursue engineering careers in order to provide a diverse, vigorous and informed engineering workforce. Each year, National Engineers Week reaches thousands of schools, businesses and community groups across the United States.

Lockheed Martin is a corporate sponsor of National Engineers Week, which was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. The week's activities continue to grow each year, and in 2004, expanded to the international community.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com, www.nspe.org/index.html