Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees Define Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.
To continue to innovate and excel, it is imperative for us to help develop students’ abilities and interest in STEM to place them on a path towards workforce readiness. Our education strategy focuses on engineering- and technology-based programs and initiatives that excite, engage, and educate students and serve as professional development resources for teachers, with a primary focus on middle grades.
There is a decline in women and minority students going into STEM careers. At Northrop Grumman we value diversity of thought and believe it is integral to creativity, problem solving and innovation. Starting in 2021, we will dedicate 50% of our education funding to resources or programs that support social justice through diversity, equity and inclusion.
In 2015, we developed a goal aimed at helping to increase math and science proficiency for 350,000 students by providing professional development opportunities to teachers. We achieved and surpassed our goal in 2021, reaching an estimated 353,180 students.
Although we met our goal early, we know there is more work to be done to decrease disparities in K-12 STEM education. In 2022, we set a new goal to impact 10,000,000 underrepresented students in STEM, including people of color, females, low-income, persons with disabilities, and indigenous people. This will be accomplished through informal STEM exposure, formal STEM programming and professional development for teachers.
Education Outreach Initiatives, Partners and Programs
Computer Science Education Programs
We support computer science teacher professional development and youth programs to inspire the next generation of computer scientists. Partners include Code.org, CS4ALL, CyberPatriot and global programs such as CyberCenturion, CyberArabia and CyberTaipan.
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (REC)—VEX Robotics
VEX Robotics gives students the opportunity to develop a passion for robotics in a fun, hands-on way. In addition, VEX encourages teamwork, problem solving, and leadership. The Northrop Grumman Foundation is the presenting sponsor of the Annual VEX Robotics World Championships, which includes teams from all over the world.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center®—Space Camp®
For over a decade, we have provided Space Camp® scholarships to students and teachers to explore space and gain a greater appreciation of STEM. In addition, we support Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students.
EarthEcho International— EarthEcho Expeditions
Led by explorer and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau, Jr., this program provides professional development for teachers to learn new ways to excite and educate students about real-world science.
Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy
Designed specifically for middle school teachers, the Northrop Grumman Foundation Teachers Academy builds teacher confidence and classroom excellence in science, engineering and technology, and helps teachers to understand the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce. Northrop Grumman engineers and technologists are integral to the design and implementation of the program and provide industry perspectives to teachers. In turn, the teachers receive a yearlong immersion in a host of science, technology and engineering learning opportunities.
High School Involvement Partnership
Our High School Involvement Partnership program pairs high school students with employees to provide mentoring, business-environment exposure and hands-on experience in real-world STEM applications.
Employee Volunteerism
Employees are a key component of our company’s Corporate Citizenship initiatives. Volunteers engage in a number of ways including board service, school visits, mentoring, hosting on-site facility tours and supporting partner organizations such as Great Minds in STEM’s Viva Technology and the National Society of Black Engineers’ Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK).
STEM Education Partnership Case Study: A Collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the Baltimore City Public Schools System
In 2015, after the unrest in Baltimore City, Northrop Grumman and UMBC collaborated to create a comprehensive strategy geared at uplifting the local community by providing robust curriculum-based STEM education resources, relevant professional development for teachers and state-of-the-art technology at three Baltimore City Schools: Lakeland Elementary/Middle School, Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove and Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High School. Read the case study here.
Learn more about our STEM education strategy or email STEMEducation@ngc.com with questions.
