Lockheed Martin's two North Texas businesses will support local activities to promote math and science education for students during National Engineers Week, February 19-25. Through fun hands-on activities, students will learn about engineering and engineering careers.

Lockheed Martin strongly endorses the American Competitiveness Initiative announced recently by President Bush during his State of the Union address. National Engineers Week complements the initiative, as its goal is to recognize and celebrate achievements in science and engineering -- built upon a solid foundation of math and science principles.

"At Lockheed Martin, we know firsthand the importance of educating our young people in math and science. Our future success -- and our nation's technological advantage -- depends on a constant supply of highly trained, highly capable technical talent," said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO.

Throughout the week, employees at the two North Texas Lockheed Martin facilities, Aeronautics in Fort Worth and Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie, will reach out to more than 4,000 students in all grade levels to demonstrate how engineers impact our everyday lives.

In Fort Worth, nearly 4,000 elementary students will feel the power of engineering in their own hands at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History through interactive lessons led by Aeronautics employees. Additionally, dozens more employees will visit schools throughout Tarrant County to share the story of powered flight. Employees will also celebrate engineering among themselves through a battery-powered car design competition.

In Dallas, more than 275 students from Mansfield High School, Arlington High School, The University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University will tour the Missiles and Fire Control facilities during the week, learning firsthand how company engineers develop world-class technologies. Additionally, dozens of Missiles and Fire Control employees will visit area schools to make presentations about "The Science of Explosions" and demonstrate rocket cars. Additionally, the company will host a robot soccer game and virtual reality car/driver competition for employees.

National Engineers Week presents an ideal opportunity to reach out to students, from kindergarten through college, with activities in schools and in the community. Supported by a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, educational and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies, National Engineers Week is dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers' positive contributions to our quality of life.

Activities throughout the week promote recognition amongst parents, teachers and students in the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy, motivating youths to pursue engineering careers in order to provide a diverse, vigorous and informed engineering workforce. Each year, National Engineers Week reaches thousands of schools, businesses and community groups across the United States.

Lockheed Martin is a corporate sponsor of National Engineers Week, which was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. The week's activities continue to grow each year, and in 2004, expanded to the international community.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company