WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., June 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has provided grants worth a total of $3,300 to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational initiatives in Los Angeles metropolitan area schools.

Northrop Grumman awarded 11 individual grants of $300 each to teachers in local elementary, middle and high schools to fund projects that increase student awareness of opportunities in STEM fields. The grants were open to teachers at any public or charter school with an open enrollment policy. Selection was based upon the proposed activity's potential to engage students and the level of STEM focus.

The grant program was announced in recognition of National Engineers Week in mid-February and winners were notified in May. Grants must be used in the current calendar year to purchase equipment, supplies, publications or transportation related to the proposed STEM project.

The following teachers received the Northrop Grumman National Engineers Week STEM grants:

• Robyn Arnold – San Jose Highly Gifted Center (Mission Hills)
• Judith Baumwirt – Granada Hills Charter High School (Granada Hills)
• Albert Estrada – Valley Alternative Magnet School (Lake Balboa)
• Christine Ferris – Our Community School (Chatsworth)
• Mia Kang – Ernest Lawrence Middle School (Chatsworth)
• Bryan Kerness – William S. Hart Union High School District Regional Occupational Program (Santa Clarita)
• Manfred Koch – Juan Lagunas Soria Elementary (Oxnard)
• Amy Leserman – Fulton College Preparatory School (Van Nuys)
• Kevin Lorch – Mesa Verde Middle School (Moorpark)
• Mario Mendoza – William Mulholland Middle School (Lake Balboa)
• Belinda Young – Ernest Lawrence Middle School (Chatsworth)

"Northrop Grumman is dedicated to supporting STEM education, particularly because that knowledge helps to form the foundation of our company," said Liz Iversen, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems division. "We want to do our part in helping to foster an appreciation of these subjects—now and in the future."

The teacher grants reinforce Northrop Grumman's commitment to STEM activities and educational initiatives. The company annually sponsors Worthwhile to Help High School Youth (WORTHY), which is a High School Involvement Partnership (HIP) program, and the Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholars program, which provides academic-based scholarships to promising high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in engineering. Additionally, the company has sponsored outreach events, including a robotics competition, for local high school students during National Engineers Week.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

CONTACT: Gina Piellusch
         (818) 715-2285
         gina.piellusch@ngc.com