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Lockheed Martin Employees Mentor More Than 1,000 Students In First Robotics


WEBWIRE

MANASSAS, VA.- Employees from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently mentored more than 1,000 students from Prince William County and surrounding area schools during the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition and Tech Challenge events.

The FIRST program is designed to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology. FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge teams include engineers and other professionals from some of the world’s most respected companies. Students work closely with and learn from these mentors in engineering and technology fields.

As mentors, 50 Lockheed Martin employees provided technical knowledge, leadership training and project management skills to teams of students as they create sophisticated machines that compete at local, state and national tournaments. Employees invested more than 3,000 hours this past year in the FIRST Robotics program in area schools, with a goal of inspiring young students to explore career opportunities in science, math and technology fields. FIRST teams mentored by Lockheed Martin employees have earned many prestigious awards, including FIRST’s International Rookie All-Star, Best Web-Site, Think award, Top Rookie “Seed” and several Rookie All-Star awards through the unique FIRST Robotics mentorship program.

“It’s important for those in industry to mentor FIRST teams so that today’s students get hands-on experience in engineering and a deeper understanding of what it means to be an engineer,” said Tom Convery, a senior embedded software engineer at Lockheed Martin’s Undersea Systems business unit. “We’re proud to be able to help develop our nation’s next generation of engineers and technical specialists.”

During 2008, Lockheed Martin will sponsor 30 local teams at the high school, middle school and elementary school level. The company is providing financial support, with volunteer employees serving as team mentors at local schools includingBattlefield High School, Oakton High School, Osbourn Park High School, Osbourn High School, Gar-Field High School, Stonewall Middle School, Beville Middle School, Rippon Middle School, Godwin Middle School, Benton Middle School, Pennington School, Tayler Elementary and Mountain View Elementary School.

“Prince William County Public Schools recognizes the need to increase student enthusiasm in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education,” said Sharon Henry, community and business engagement executive director, Education Foundation Prince William County Public Schools. “The robotics program provides an exciting way for students to get involved in hands-on projects that not only strengthen math and science curriculums, but also provides them with valuable work readiness skills that they can take with them beyond their school years. Through their generous employee volunteer hours and funding, Lockheed Martin has helped make programs like FIRST Robotics a reality for our students.”



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