Northrop Helps Establish Photonics Academy

Northrop Grumman Corp., which operates its Laser Systems business unit in Apopka, Fla., has helped establish the new Wekiva High School Photonics Academy there by contributing $50,000 in cash and equipment, the company announced Monday. The academy, open to high school students in Apopka, was created in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and Valencia Community College. To participate, students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average and are required to enroll in Valencia Community College, where they will receive college credits for courses taken at the Photonics Academy in mathematics, science, communications, electronics, and optics.
“This is a great opportunity for the students at Wekiva High School and for us,” said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Laser Systems. “Once they graduate from this program, they will be well on their way to becoming laser technicians. And, since we have a continuing need for trained and certified laser technicians, we are very pleased to be a part of this innovative education and training process.”
Northrop Grumman Laser Systems makes ground-based military electro-optical (EO) targeting systems and is a Bronze Patron member of the Florida Photonics Cluster. The company donated $30,000 in lab equipment and $20,000 in cash to the academy.