ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) marked the 20^th anniversary of the Lockheed Martin/University of Central Florida Academy for Mathematics and Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a $500,000 donation toward the program. Aimed specifically at preparing teachers to teach mathematics and science in Central Florida, Lockheed Martin has contributed more than $2 million to support the Academy and its participants since 1992.

"By helping the College of Education create a strong cast of accomplished teachers in mathematics and science, Lockheed Martin has helped make Central Florida a center of excellence for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines," said UCF President John C. Hitt. "Together, UCF and Lockheed Martin are developing the highly-skilled workers that our community and state need to thrive in today's competitive global marketplace."

The Lockheed Martin/University of Central Florida Academy supports two innovative master's degree programs dedicated to improving mathematics and science education: the K-8 program and the Transition to Mathematics and Science Teaching program (T-MAST). The mission of the K-8 program is to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in mathematics and science for current teachers. T-MAST is a teacher training program for STEM professionals who want to change professions and put their knowledge to work in high-need classrooms.

"Our partnership with UCF represents our shared commitment to STEM education in Florida, and recognizes that teachers are the critical link," said Denise Saiki, president of Lockheed Martin's Global Training and Logistics business. "The teachers graduating from the Lockheed Martin/UCF Academy are defining excellence in the classroom, as demonstrated by a long list of awards ranging from the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, and teacher of the year awards at the state, district and local school levels."  

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 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 2011 were $46.5 billion.

For additional information, visit our websites:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
http://today.ucf.edu

SOURCE Lockheed Martin