WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is extending the reach of its Sum of all Thrills™ experience from the theme park into cyberspace through a new virtual thrill ride and math learning component at www.MathMovesU.com.

Whether at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort, or at their computers, students can now experience math and science in an exhilarating way: by designing and then riding their very own thrill rides. Raytheon's goal is to stimulate excitement for math among students by linking the subject to hands-on, interactive adventures.

The new Sum of all Thrills™ online component offers an on-screen design experience similar to the exhibit at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®. Using mathematical and engineering fundamentals, students can construct exciting virtual roller-coasters, pilot jet-fighter planes, or race bobsleds that dip, dive and swerve through loops, turns and rolls.

Online users can also take advantage of added functionality such as posting their personal ride creations on Facebook and sharing them with friends. In addition to the added functionality, visitors to the theme park exhibit at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®  can now access a special mobile version to take their in-park experience home: Riders simply text the code on the card they receive at the ride to THRILL (847455), or enter the code on MathMovesU.com, to view the actual ride they just designed.  

"The popularity of the Sum of all Thrills™ ride has confirmed our original belief that fun experiences can and will get students excited about math," said Pam Wickham, Raytheon vice president of Corporate Affairs and Communications. "By bringing the ride online, we are making it accessible to those who have not or cannot visit the exhibit at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®, allowing even more students to connect the activities they love with the math that makes it all possible."

Developed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, Raytheon opened the Sum of all Thrills™ at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® in 2009 to guests from around the world.

About MathMovesU®

Raytheon's MathMovesU program is committed to increasing middle and elementary school students' interest in math and science education by engaging them in hands-on, interactive activities. The innovative programs of MathMovesU include Raytheon's Sum of all Thrills™ experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®, which showcases math in action as students design and experience their own thrill ride using math fundamentals; the "In the Numbers" game, a partnership with the New England Patriots on display at The Hall at Patriot Place™ presented by Raytheon; the company's ongoing sponsorship of the MATHCOUNTS® National Competition; and the MathMovesU scholarship and grant program providing more than $1 million in annual funding to students and teachers. Follow MathMovesU and other Raytheon community outreach programs on Twitter @RaytheonCSR.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.

About INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®

INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Creativity and imagination abound as guests celebrate inspiration and the innovations that improve their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on, interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire. For more information, visit www.innoventions.disney.com

Media Contacts

Raytheon Company
Kristyn Lao
781.522.5126
corporatepr@raytheon.com

InkHouse
Scott Montminy
781.966.4100
raytheonpr@inkhouse.net

SOURCE Raytheon Company