ROCKVILLE, Md., April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) are teaming up on the USA Finish First Fellowship (F3) program, which will connect students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields with career opportunities in renewable energy.

The fellowship program, announced at the USA Science & Engineering Festival, will enable students to explore careers in energy during summer 2015 internship experiences at Lockheed Martin. The submission process will be open June 1 through November 15, 2014.

The fellowship program follows a recently announced green education partnership among Lockheed Martin, ACORE, and NASCAR Green, the sustainability arm of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.

"We at Lockheed Martin, along with ACORE and NASCAR, know it is critical that we create awareness and excitement with our best and brightest students about how a career in renewable and sustainable energy is essential to protecting our daily lives," said Frank Armijo, vice president of energy solutions at Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions. 

The F3 program will provide up to five students the unique opportunity to engage with senior energy executives and learn about the exciting advanced energy programs, renewable energy and energy efficiency-related projects at Lockheed Martin. 

"Through the STEM educational components of the Fellowship, we will help to ensure our nation's future is well-prepared with the next generation of renewable energy innovators, inventors, financiers and industry builders, fully able to create a more prosperous American future built on clean, renewable energy," said Michael Brower, ACORE CEO and President.

The F3 program will also allow students the opportunity to support ACORE's official partnership with NASCAR Green. Through the educational outreach of this partnership, Lockheed Martin and ACORE will jointly engage NASCAR's broad audience of millions of fans with educational activities and promotion at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla., in July, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Ill., in September; and Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan., in October. 

"NASCAR Green is proud to collaborate with ACORE and Lockheed Martin on this innovative program," said Dr. Michael Lynch, NASCAR vice president of green innovation. "The educational opportunities from a capstone experience around renewable energy in this environment will have impact on thousands of students aspiring to contribute in green, energy independence, and fostering of new technology development in the U.S."

Earlier this spring, NASCAR launched its Race to Green campaign, which raises awareness of NASCAR's sustainability initiatives while providing its supply chain partners with a promotional platform. To support NASCAR's green initiatives, Lockheed Martin and ACORE will promote activities to ensure the alternative energy pipeline has a steady flow of talented professionals.

About ACORE
ACORE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to building a secure and prosperous America with clean, renewable energy. ACORE seeks to advance renewable energy through finance, policy, technology, and market development and is concentrating its member focus in 2014 on National Defense & Security, Power Generation & Infrastructure, and Transportation. Additional information is available at www.acore.org.

About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information, visit www.nascar.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 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.

For additional information, visit:
www.lockheedmartin.com/energysolutions

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140428/81203

SOURCE Lockheed Martin