[SatNews] Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland are joining forces to establish a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational outreach initiative in Baltimore focused on inspiring young girls' interests in engineering and science-related activities and studies.

Officials of the company's Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector recently presented the regional Girl Scout council with a $145,000 check to help fund the creation of the Northrop Grumman STEM Center adjacent to the existing Girl Scout headquarters on Seton Drive in Baltimore. The STEM Center will be housed in a portion of the new Urban Program & Environmental Center, the latter of which is being made possible as the result of capital funding by the State of Maryland. Northrop Grumman is also providing an estimated $17,000 worth of in-kind facility design and construction support services to help prepare the new STEM Center for eventual occupancy later this fall. Northrop Grumman, one of the state's largest private employers, is a significant financial and in-kind contributor to educational outreach programs aimed at encouraging young people throughout Maryland to consider STEM career fields. The company's Electronic Systems sector sponsors the Discover"E" program in Maryland, a grassroots effort by volunteer engineers at the company to excite student interest in engineering, science and math. The company also sponsors WORTHY, a mentoring and scholarship program for high school students in Baltimore, and the annual Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholars program, which provides competitive, academic-based scholarships to one high school graduate from each Maryland county and the City of Baltimore who plan to pursue engineering related degrees in college.