INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Lockheed Martin and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) today announced a $500,000 in grant support for schools seeking to implement PLTW’s Cybersecurity course, which engages students in grades 9-12 in real-world activities aligned with careers in the growing field of cybersecurity. Public high schools across the country may apply through PLTW’s website.
These grants will increase access to hands-on computer science learning experiences for hundreds of high school students in the 2021-22 school year by supporting their schools’ implementation of the Cybersecurity course.
“We should not underestimate the importance of computer and data science skills for America’s students,” said PLTW President and CEO Dr. Vince Bertram. “Lockheed Martin’s continued generosity and support has helped prepare students all across the country for opportunities to develop key subject matter and transportable skills enabling them to become inspired problem solvers and to pursue critical and enduring career paths.”
The PLTW Cybersecurity course allows students to establish an ethical code of conduct while learning to defend data in today’s complex cyberworld. This course introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. It raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior and aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cybersecurity infrastructure that moves and processes information safely.
“Learning how to identify and respond to cyber threats is essential for both our personal and national security,” said Michael Gordon, Lockheed Martin Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer. “Our partnership with PLTW expands opportunity for more students to gain critical skills and see a future career for themselves in the growing field of cybersecurity.
PLTW provides PreK-12 schools, teachers, and students with hands-on, interdisciplinary STEM-based curriculum that uniquely prepares students for life and their future careers. Since 2007, Lockheed Martin has partnered with PLTW to address the nation’s critical need for future engineers, computer scientists, and math- and science-trained professionals, and to equip all students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
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About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com.
About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. Approximately 12,200 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
