Maryland Teachers Get a Lesson in Weightlessness Through Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery

The Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Foundation launched 55 Maryland teachers into weightlessness yesterday as part of the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program. The goal: To inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers — critical areas where the United States has fallen behind globally.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://media.primezone.com/noc/

The teachers performed a number of experiments during Martian, lunar and zero gravities. The experiments were designed to test Newton’s Laws of Motion and ranged from tennis ball and teacher tosses to water dynamic tests using a simple household sponge. Many of the teachers worked with their students before the flights to form hypotheses about the effects of microgravity on the experiments. Following the flights, the teachers will bring their first-hand experiences, enthusiasm and videotaped experiments of science-in-action into the classroom, where they will be integrated into lesson plans.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery is an innovative hands-on training program that gives teachers an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience as a way to help them inspire their students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

For more information, visit: http://www.northropgrumman.com/community/weightless.html.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide. Editor’s Note: Video, hi-res photos and teacher interviews available upon request.

Contact: Jack Martin
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
(410) 765-4441
jm.martin@ngc.com