Lockheed Martin is donating $2 million to expand college and career based technology programs throughout Orange County Public Schools.

The science, technology, engineering and math curriculum, also known as STEM, will be offered by a nonprofit organization called "Project Lead The Way."

Program leaders say the kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum is aimed at addressing the nation’s critical need for future engineers and scientists, right here in Central Florida. 

“It’s an imperative that we start growing more young engineers very quickly in this country. We’re falling behind,” said Rick Edwards, Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President, Missiles and Fire Control.

Lockheed Martin engineers will also volunteer in classrooms, building relationships with students as role models and mentors. 

“When I first started this program all the stuff that we were being introduced to was just mind-blowing to me and I loved it. I love doing this class. I love building the robots. I love just this whole program. Project Lead the Way, I love it all,” said 8th Grade STEM Student Brandon Spraggs.

Next year, 40 schools will begin offering STEM programs.          

During the three-year grant program, the district says some form of the curriculm will be implemented at all 184 Orange County public schools.