Lockheed Martin renews partnership with Conrad Foundation to bring STEM entrepreneurship program to students worldwide
Nancy Conrad, founder and chairman of the Conrad Foundation, announced today that Lockheed Martin committed to support the 2014 Spirit of Innovation Challenge as the title sponsor. This marks the fourth consecutive year of participation in the annual innovation challenge by the global security and aerospace company.
The Spirit of Innovation Challenge invites teams of students ages 13-18 worldwide to use science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), along with creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, to develop products and services to benefit humanity and address global sustainability. The program offers teachers, parents, and afterschool coordinators a relevant and dynamic way to teach STEM. Supporting the teams’ efforts are world-renowned scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who work with the students as virtual mentors.
“We need a workforce of problem solvers to address our toughest 21st century challenges,” said Dr. Ray O. Johnson, Lockheed Martin senior vice president and chief technology officer. “The Spirit of Innovation Challenge encourages innovative thinking and collaboration around the development of real-world, marketable products, and services.”
The 2014 finalist teams will be announced Feb. 20 and meet April 6-8 at Space Center Houston for the Innovation Summit powered by Lockheed Martin. Student teams will compete for more than $50,000 in next-step grants to develop their products and services. In addition to competing, students and their teachers will have opportunities to join fireside chats with cutting-edge technology leaders and tour NASA facilities.
For more information about the Conrad Foundation, visit www.conradawards.org or contact the Spirit of Innovation Challenge at info@conradawards.org.
About the Conrad Foundation
The Conrad Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to 21st century, immersive learning, where students use their imagination and innovation to enrich their classroom studies by adding context to content. The Foundation is the only organization of its kind whose programs combine education, innovation, and entrepreneurship to inspire solutions for achieving global sustainability. For more information, visit www.conradfoundation.org.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 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 net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.
