Aerospace and technology leader supports competition that nurtures innovators of the future
HOUSTON — Nancy Conrad, founder and chairman of the Conrad Foundation, today announced Lockheed Martin Corporation as a Corporate Partner for the 5th annual Spirit of Innovation Challenge. This marks the second year the global security and technology company has engaged in the annual high school competition.
The Spirit of Innovation Challenge invites student teams from across America to use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to develop commercially viable products addressing real-world issues. As a Corporate Partner, Lockheed Martin will support the Aerospace Exploration and Clean Energy Challenges.
“Lockheed Martin believes the competitive success of our nation depends on an innovative and technically adept workforce that understands the value of collaborating to solve 21st century challenges,” said Dr. Ray O Johnson, Lockheed Martin senior vice president and chief technology officer. “The Spirit of Innovation celebrates those who will play a role in helping establish our nation’s secure future. We are proud to partner on this important program and look forward to working with the students to unlock new ways of using technology to make a profound difference in our world.”
Joining Lockheed Martin for the competition as the Aerospace Exploration Challenge Partner is the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation. The AIAA Foundation is committed to providing access to its extensive pool of aerospace industry experts who will serve as mentors and judges for the competition.
“Our participation in the Spirit of Innovation Challenge provides us with an ideal way to engage with high school students and provide guidance as they begin to establish their college and career plans,” said Lisa Bacon, program manager, STEM K-12 Outreach Programs for AIAA. “Working one-on-one with the student teams affords our mentors the opportunity to show these students the diversity of STEM careers available to them following their higher education graduation.”
Finally, the William James Foundation has also signed on as a Challenge Partner to provide energy experts to serve as judges for the Clean Energy Challenge.
The 2011-2012 Spirit of Innovation Challenge launches Sept. 27. Visit www.conradawards.org to obtain the latest information on the competition, registration deadlines and more.
About The Conrad Foundation
The Conrad Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fundamentally shifting how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are taught in K-12 schools. The program reaches all socioeconomic levels, is free to all who participate and is the only organization of its kind to combine education, innovation and entrepreneurship to spark student interest in STEM careers and sustain a knowledge-based economy. For more information, visit www.conradawards.org.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion. http://www.lockheedmartin.com.
About AIAA Foundation
The AIAA Foundation seeks to “make it exciting, make it empowering, and make it fun.” That simple, compelling philosophy drives the Foundation’s commitment to math, science, and technology education. The AIAA Foundation offers a wealth of resources to support educators from K-12 through university: scholarships, classroom grants, design competitions, and student conferences, improving scientific literacy and advancing the arts and sciences of aerospace. For more information on the AIAA Foundation and its programs for students, teachers, and professionals, please visit www.aiaafoundation.org .
About William James Foundation
The William James Foundation manages socially responsible business plan competitions, which provide sustainable entrepreneurs with detailed and constructive feedback, offer its judges an opportunity to use their lifetime of experience to support projects they find personally meaningful and allow its sponsors to become part of a conversation with the next generation of sustainable entrepreneurs and leading figures in the areas of socially responsible finance, academia, management and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit www.williamjamesfoundation.org.
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