Fort Worth, Texas, 03-MAR-00 -- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History will support National Engineers Week, Feb. 20-26, by hosting Lockheed Martin's Technology Exposition at the museum.

The Exposition consists of four displays, with three containing models of the F-22, F-16 and Joint Strike Fighter tactical aircraft. On a TV screen behind each model, a short narrative film describes each plane. Simultaneously, a vivid visual representation is projected onto the plane, providing information that coincides with the film.

The fourth display consists of a large console with buttons for films corresponding to various Lockheed Martin programs and their technologies. Press any button and a short film is presented, describing the program chosen.

Throughout the week, Lockheed Martin engineers will be present to conduct hands-on demonstrations in how to design cockpits and wings, to provide real-life testimonial of why they choose engineering as a career and to answer any questions about the displays. It is anticipated that more than 4,000 school-age children will tour the exhibit at the museum.

One of the more fun activities during the week will be on Tuesday, Feb. 22, starting at 10 a.m., when teams of TCU and elementary students will compete to build the tallest structure possible consisting simply of newspaper and masking tape. That activity will be followed on Friday, Feb. 25, when students from Shady Grove Elementary in Engineers Week

Keller ISD will work with Lockheed Martin engineers to build the tallest newspaper tower that can suspend the weight of a golf ball at its peak.

Additionally, with the help of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is providing a web site, linking school children to fun science and engineering projects. The site is http://www.lmtas.com/eweek

One of the reasons we are sponsoring Engineers Week is to encourage young people to start thinking about engineering as a career, said Charla K. Wise, vice president of Product Engineering for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. This country will be facing a shortage of engineers in a few short years if we don't have more engineers graduating from our colleges and universities. The economic consequences of that shortage will be serious unless it is addressed now.

National Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Its mission is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the engineering profession.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History was established in 1941. It is dedicated to creating extraordinary learning environments.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration and support of fighter aircraft. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics employs approximately 10,500 people at facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.