Space Foundation Press Releases


Northrop Grumman to Create Science Center at Space Foundation Headquarters

Written by: developer


Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 20, 2012) – Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) is donating $375,000 to create a science center and teaching lab at the Space Foundation’s Colorado Springs world headquarters. To be known as the Northrop Grumman Science Center, the facility will include a Science On a Sphere® laboratory and a teaching facility that will be used for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs for teachers and students and for community education outreach efforts.

The Northrop Grumman Science Center is the first major component of the Space Foundation’s visitors center, which is under development at 4425 Arrowswest Drive in Colorado Springs, Colo. Construction will begin immediately and the new center is expected to open as early as this fall.

“This generous gift from Northrop Grumman makes it possible for the Space Foundation to realize our vision of an interactive destination for formal and informal public and private education – advancing STEM in the exciting context of space exploration, development and utilization,” said Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham. “We envision a facility where children and adults can participate in highly interactive learning opportunities in multiple disciplines, including astronomy, physics, mathematics, geography, environmental sciences, planetary sciences and biology.”

The Northrop Grumman Science Center will have both lecture and laboratory facilities that can be used for pre-kindergarten through graduate-level courses, educator professional development and educational multimedia events and presentations for the general public.

“Northrop Grumman is honored to partner with the Space Foundation to create this exciting new educational facility for the Rocky Mountain region that will help lead the next generation into space,” said Gary Ervin, a corporate vice president of Northrop Grumman and president of the company’s Aerospace Systems sector. “STEM education initiatives like this are critical for today’s children to become tomorrow’s leaders in space. They are the future stewards of our nation’s leadership in technology to keep both our economy strong and our residents secure while advancing our understanding of the world around us.”

The Center will extend the reach and capabilities of the Space Foundation’s education enterprise, which offers space-themed, standards-based education programs to teachers and students. Programs include Space Across the Curriculum teacher professional development courses, STARS science enrichment programs for schools, New Horizons community programs that combine school-based education programs with community events and lectures, Audience with an Astronaut sessions for schools, school and youth tours of major space industry exhibits, including those at the National Space Symposium, lesson plans and teaching resources and a NASA Educator Resource Center.

About Northrop Grumman
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.

About the Space Foundation
The foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and an expert in all aspects of space, the Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” The Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has a field office in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

#  #  #

Northrop Grumman Contact:         
Lon Rains
Office: 310-812-4702
Cell: 424-247-3562
[email protected]



Posted in Space Foundation Press Releases