Robotics Education & Competition Foundation Announces 2014 and 2015 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship

The Northrop Grumman Foundation and the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation today announced that the Northrop Grumman Foundation will be the presenting sponsor of the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in 2014 and 2015. In addition, the REC Foundation today announced that the 2014 and the 2015 VEX Robotics Competition World Championships will once again take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on April 23-26, 2014 and April 22 - 25, 2015. This intense three-day annual robotics-engineering tournament will attract more than 800 teams and 15,000 students from over 25 countries to celebrate their accomplishments and further inspire their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

"The Northrop Grumman Foundation recognizes the importance of hands-on, sustainable and affordable robotics engineering programs to increase student interest in the STEM fields and we greatly appreciate their increased support of the VEX Robotics Competition," said Jason Morrella, president, REC Foundation. "In addition, the Anaheim Convention Center has been a true partner in accommodating our growth and we look forward to two more years at this fantastic venue."

"VEX Robotics is a tremendous program that creates great learning, team work and fun while exciting young minds in STEM," said Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. "As a global company, we are eager to support the expansion of VEX Robotics so more students worldwide have the opportunity to gain insight into the excitement of STEM and STEM careers and participate in this fun, yet challenging program."

The newly expanded partnership with the Northrop Grumman Foundation will uniquely position the REC Foundation to respond to growing demand in communities in the U.S. and around the world with support for operational growth, competition events and new team grants.

"The Anaheim Convention Center is the ideal location for the 2015 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of the world's best and brightest young minds to Anaheim," said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. "There are many ways to impact current and future generations, and these young men and women are to be commended for their vision and dedication to excellence."

The REC Foundation manages the VEX Robotics Competition, which provides student teams worldwide with hands-on, curriculum-based robotics engineering programs while also providing valuable teamwork and problem-solving experience. Teams compete year-round at more than 400 events that culminate in April at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship.

The VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is the largest middle and high school robotics program in the world with more than 7,300 teams in all 50 states and more than 25 countries. The VRC World Championship will include the introduction of VEX IQ, a new elementary robotics platform and competition, which combined with VEX U college and university level of competition, will enable students of all ages to have an opportunity to participate in robotics engineering concepts and advance their STEM knowledge. To learn more about the REC Foundation, please visit www.RoboticsEducation.org or to locate a competition event, please visit www.RobotEvents.com.

About the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by engaging students in hands-on, sustainable and affordable curriculum-based robotics engineering programs across the U.S. and internationally. The REC Foundation develops partnerships with K-12 education, higher education, government, industry and the nonprofit community to achieve this work.

About Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation

Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. They provide funding to STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. Northrop Grumman employees actively volunteer in support of many STEM organizations in their communities and internationally. In 2012, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued outreach efforts by contributing approximately $22.8 million to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), Conservation International (ECO Classroom), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics) and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation supports diverse and sustainable programs for students and teachers. These programs create innovative education experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For more information please visit www.northropgrumman.com/foundation.