8 Valley Teachers Win Northrop Grumman Grants

[This news release comes from Northrop Grumman.]

Northrop Grumman Corp. has provided grants worth $3,300 to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational initiatives in Los Angeles metropolitan area schools.

These Valley teachers received the STEM grants:

• Christine Ferris -- Our Community School (Chatsworth)
• Mia Kang -- Ernest Lawrence Middle School (Chatsworth)
• Belinda Young -- Ernest Lawrence Middle School (Chatsworth)
• Judith Baumwirt -- Granada Hills Charter High School (Granada Hills)
• Robyn Arnold -- San Jose Highly Gifted Center (Mission Hills)
• Albert Estrada -- Valley Alternative Magnet School (Lake Balboa)
• Mario Mendoza -- William Mulholland Middle School (Lake Balboa)
• Amy Leserman -- Fulton College Preparatory School (Van Nuys)

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.

Other area teachers receiving STEM grants are:

• Bryan Kerness -- William S. Hart Union High School District Regional Occupational Program (Santa Clarita)
• Manfred Koch -- Juan Lagunas Soria Elementary (Oxnard)
• Kevin Lorch -- Mesa Verde Middle School (Moorpark)

"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."