CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodrich Foundation has awarded the Engineering Possibilities in College (EPIC) program at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. $15,000 to help expand its one-week on-campus day camp to additional youngsters interested in engineering careers. Entering its sixth year this spring, EPIC has allowed hundreds of high school students to get a first-hand look at what it would be like to study engineering on the Cal Poly campus.

"The EPIC program was previously limited to high school students, and is expanding its reach this year include middle school students who may not have previously considered engineering as a field of study or a future career," said Debra Larson, dean of Cal Poly Engineering. "EPIC will use the Goodrich Foundation grant to create a comprehensive career camp experience designed specifically for middle school students. The young campers will be immersed in hands-on labs and activities intended to spark a lifelong passion in science and engineering. The students' highly participatory, firsthand experiences will be combined with tours of Cal Poly Engineering and local engineering industries."

Marc Duvall, president of Goodrich Aerostructures in Chula Vista, Calif., said that the goals of the EPIC program in helping stimulate interest is pursuing engineering careers aligns perfectly with the company's vision.

"One of our key community focus areas at Goodrich is to encourage the study of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines by young people," he said. "Studies show that students often find their career interests during the formative middle school years. EPIC is strongly aligned with the Goodrich Foundation's commitment to start early to connect students with science and engineering."

Goodrich Foundation is the charitable arm of Goodrich Corporation GR. The Foundation provides support to selected charitable institutions in Goodrich's United States headquarters and plant communities.

Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets.  With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities.  For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com.

Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as "Goodrich Corporation" in this press release.

SOURCE Goodrich Corporation