30 Teachers Representing 4 States to Defy Gravity in Washington, D.C. As Part Of The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights Of Discovery

Program to Inspire and Prepare Kids for Careers in Math and Science Stops in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 2

WHAT The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery teacher training program provides educators with first-hand experience in the application of math, science and engineering principles aboard microgravity flights, during which they will conduct experiments that test Newton’s Laws of Motion. Teachers will bring their experiences and in-flight video back to the classroom to incorporate into lesson plans to help motivate and prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers.

WHO Thirty math and science teachers from Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania

WHY The U.S. has fallen behind globally in the areas of science and technology. For the U.S. to remain competitive for the future, it is important that the next generation be inspired and well prepared to pursue careers in these fields.

WHEN Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

WEIGHTLESS FLIGHT SCHEDULE

– Teacher arrivals and experiment preparations – 6:45 a.m.
– Mandatory pre-flight mission briefing – 7:30 a.m.
– Flight Take Off – 10:00 a.m.
– Flight Returns – Teachers return to Hyatt Dulles Hotel for Regravitation Party –
12:30 p.m.

WHERE Hyatt Dulles – Main phone line: (703) 713-1234 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon, VA 20171

BACKGROUND Teachers recently prepared for their Oct. 2 flight by participating in a workshop where they started to design the experiments they plan to execute in lunar, Martian, and zero gravity aboard a specially-modified aircraft that creates weightlessness in a similar manner to how astronauts train for space flight.

NOTE TO EDITORS Pre-flight interviews can be arranged with teachers and Northrop Grumman Foundation executives prior to flight day. Please contact M. Silver Associates to assist in coordination.

Media interested in being present on flight day should contact M. Silver Associates to confirm attendance. To be placed on standby for a seat on the teacher flight, please contact Jennifer Herrera or Rebecca Rakitin at M. Silver Associates Inc. at (954) 765-3636.

Interviews with teachers and Northrop Grumman Foundation executives will be arranged on-site on an as-requested basis.

Follow the teachers on their weightless journey via Facebook (www.facebook.com/GoWeightless) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GoWeightless).

Teachers

District of Columbia Public Schools

– Next Step Public Charter School, Washington District of Columbia
– Stuart-Hobson Middle School, Washington District of Columbia
– Watkins Elementary School, Washington District of Columbia
– SunRise Academy, Washington District of Columbia
– Cardozo Senior High School, Washington District of Columbia
– Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington District of Columbia
– Paul Jr. High Public Charter School, Washington District of Columbia

Howard County Public School System

– Hammond High School, Columbia, Maryland

St. Mary’s County Public Schools

– Great Mills High School, Great Mills, Maryland

Carroll County Schools

– North Carroll Middle, Hampstead, Maryland

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

– Chesapeake Bay Middle School, Pasadena, Maryland

Montgomery County Public Schools

– Benjamin Banneker Middle School, Burtonsville, Maryland
– Rocky Hill Middle School, Clarksburg, Maryland
– Francis Scott Key Middle School, Silver Spring, Maryland
– John F. Kennedy High School, Silver Spring, Maryland

Charles County Public Schools

– Westlake High School, Waldorf, Maryland

Greater Nanticoke Area School District

– Greater Nanticoke Area High School, Nanticoke, Pennsylvania

Trinity Area School District

– Trinity High School, Washington, Pennsylvania

Russell County Schools

– Castlewood High School, Castlewood, Virginia

Chesapeake Public Schools

– Indian River Middle School, Chesapeake, Virginia

Scott County Schools

– Shoemaker Elementary School, Gate City, Virginia

Fairfax County Public Schools

– Herndon High School, Herndon,Virginia

Loudoun County Public School

– Belmont Ridge Middle School, Leesburg, Virginia

Giles County Public Schools

– Narrows High School, Narrows, Virginia

Norfolk Public Schools

– Granby High School, Norfolk, Virginia

Fairfax County Public Schools

– The Enterprise School – A FCPS, Interagency Alternative High School, Vienna, Virginia

Shenandoah County Public Schools

– Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Woodstock, Virginia