SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northrop Grumman Foundation sponsored a unique, immersive space adventure this summer for participants that included two students and one teacher from the Salt Lake Center for Science Education.
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Chosen participants attended Space Camp® at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama, from July 27 to August 1. Student campers participated in activities such as building and launching rockets, experiencing weightlessness in an astronaut-training simulator and simulating space travel preparation. The teacher attended the Space Academy for Educators, a program that provides tools to enhance teachers' use of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts in classrooms.
"I will bring the absolute excitement and energy for space exploration at Space Camp back to my own classroom," said Britnie Powell, who teaches sixth grade at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education. "One of my favorite moments at Space Camp was listening to astronauts speak about their experiences and life lessons. Plus, we participated in many engineering projects and I am excited to do those projects with my own students."
The Space Camp® sponsorship is part of Northrop Grumman's K-12 Initiative, which aims to advance excellence in STEM education by encouraging and supporting students and teachers from elementary school through high school.
"We hope that this hands-on experience was inspiring and educational for the next generation of our country's scientists, engineers, teachers and explorers," said Jim Lupica, director of manufacturing for Northrop Grumman'sSalt Lake City facility. "This premier educational program expanded the imagination of participants while teaching important life skills, including leadership, teamwork and decision making."
This marks the sixth year that the foundation has funded Space Camp® sponsorships. Nationwide, this year's sponsored space campers included 34 middle school teachers from eight states and 64 middle school students from 16 states and the District of Columbia. Four students and two teachers are from the United Kingdom.
The USSRC Space Camp® is the premier provider of authentic, inspiring and entertaining educational experiences in space science and aviation. The Space Academy for Educators amplifies that mission by using the excitement of the program to create an immersive learning environment where teachers learn new ways to present concepts in their classrooms effectively. Additional information about this year's Space Camp® can be found at http://www.spacecamp.com/.
Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. They provide funding to STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. Northrop Grumman employees actively volunteer in support of many STEM organizations in their communities.
In 2013, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued outreach efforts by contributing millions of dollars to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), Conservation International (ECO Classroom), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics) and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. For more information, please visit www.northropgrumman.com/foundation.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation
Joyce Chang, 818-715-2442 (office), 818-746-6586 (mobile), joyce.chang@ngc.com
