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The Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Foundation launched 53 teachers from the greater Los Angeles area into weightlessness today as part of the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program. The goal: To inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers - critical areas where the U.S. has fallen behind globally.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://media.primezone.com/noc/

As the world celebrates 50 years in space, teachers took to the skies to perform scientific experiments in Martian, Lunar and zero gravity. Along for the ride, and helping to send the message to youngsters that science is fun and cool, was Corbin Bleu, star of High School Musical. Bleu, along with the teachers, conducted experiments designed to test Newton's Laws of Motion. Many of the teachers worked with their students before the flights to form hypotheses about the effects of microgravity on the experiments. Following the flights, the teachers will bring their first-hand experiences, enthusiasm and videotaped experiments of science-in-action into the classroom, where they will be integrated into lesson plans.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery is an innovative hands-on training program that gives teachers an 'out-of-this-world' experience as a way to help them inspire their students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

For more information, visit: http://www.northropgrumman.com/community/weightless.html.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide. Editor's Note: Video, hi-res photos and teacher interviews available upon request.

Contact:

Tom Henson
Northrop Grumman Corporation
(310) 201-3458
thomas.henson@ngc.com

M. Silver Associates Inc.
Rosalie Hagel
Jennifer Herrera
(954) 765-3636
(305) 458-4823 (mobile)
rosalie@msilver-pr.com