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 innovating, we support programs that encourage students around the world to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
The Northrop Grumman Foundation is committed to expanding and enhancing the global pipeline of diverse and talented STEM students. The Northrop Grumman Corporate Citizenship team leverages charitable contributions, mentoring opportunities, internships and programs to connect employees, students and teachers. Our education strategy focuses on supporting engineering- and technology-based programs and initiatives that excite, engage and educate a diverse group of students and provide professional development resources for teachers. By successfully executing in these areas, we contribute to the following outcomes:
Engineering autonomous vehicles, exploring space, defending cyber networks and examining environmental issues are just a few examples of the skills students and teachers develop through programs we support.
Education Outreach Initiatives, Partners and Programs
Global Cyber Education Programs
CyberPatriot, the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Education Program, is designed to excite, educate and inspire the next generation of cyber professionals and it offers cyber education to students in grades Pre-K through 12. The National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, offered to middle and high school students, exceeds national averages for attracting student diversity and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers. Through partnerships, we support similar programs globally such as CyberCenturion in the United Kingdom, CyberArabia in Saudi Arabia and CyberTaipan in Australia.
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®
Space Camp® helps inspire a greater appreciation and love of science. Throughout our history supporting this program, we’ve provided scholarships to send approximately 650 students and 300 teachers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan to Space Camp. In addition, we support Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students, which inspires and excites students with disabilities.
Into the Unknown
The Northrop Grumman Foundation, in conjunction with filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn, and the Space Telescope Science Institute, produced the documentary Into the Unknown. Designed as a resource for teachers and students, the film provides an in-depth look at one of the most daring scientific missions ever attempted: the building of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
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. Each year, up to 25 middle school teacher participants examine local and global environmental concerns and learn how technology and engineering is used to help address
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.
Partners in Education
Northrop Grumman provides volunteer, financial and educational resources to help meet local schools’ education needs in communities where we work and live.
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 events such as Engineers Week and Manufacturing Day. Our employee resource groups comprise many active volunteers with a passion for STEM outreach to diverse populations. This includes supporting programming with partner organizations such as Great Minds in STEM’s Viva Technology and the National Society of Black Engineers’ Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK).
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 4
Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
In alignment with the UNSDG 4, our goal is to provide workforce-relevant professional development programming to middle school educators to increase math and science knowledge as well as their confidence and competence in teaching STEM subjects. Our goal is to help increase math and science proficiency in 350,000 students by 2030. This goal is based on an average of 81 teachers per year who remain in the field for three years after program involvement and have an average of 100 students per year.
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.
For more information, please email STEMEducation@ngc.com. You may also learn more about our STEM education strategy or view our STEM brochure for further details.
