MathMovesU program reached record high in employee volunteerism, grants and scholarships

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 21, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company today announced the 2008 results and achievements of its MathMovesU™ program, an initiative designed to engage U.S. middle school students in math and science through interactive learning programs, contests, events, scholarships, tutoring programs and more.

Since its inception in 2005, MathMovesU has touched the lives of more than 700,000 students, teachers and parents. Last year was a benchmark one for the program, which reported a record high in Raytheon employee volunteerism and in the number of grants and scholarships awarded. MathMovesU also sponsored and hosted more than 100 events across the country as the program worked to combat a declining interest in math and science among U.S. children ages 10- to 14-years.

Corporate Volunteerism - More than 4,000 Raytheon employees volunteered in MathMovesU initiatives and events in 2008. Approximately 40,000 students nationwide benefited from the involvement of these Raytheon volunteers in events that included Raytheon MathMovesU Day, Pi Day, the Texas Girls State Fair, MISS Adventures Camp at the University of Arizona, the STEM After School Experiences program at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, Calif., and a baseball and math lesson at the Osceola Middle School in Seminole, Fla., given by Tampa Bay Rays player Ben Zobrist.

Sponsorships and Partnerships - MathMovesU supported and participated in 105 events in 2008, including:

• Corporate sponsorship of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition, a math enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. Raytheon has made a commitment to serve as title sponsor for the next three years.
• Sponsorship of National Engineers Week, Feb 17-23, with coast-to-coast events engaging and exciting young people:
  • NASCAR Driver Kevin Conway discussing the use of math in racing technology in El Segundo, Calif.;
  • Students in McKinney, Tex. learning about the engineering design process to build hovercrafts and fuel cell vehicles;
  • Students in Sudbury, Mass., using engineering design to compete in egg drop competitions; and
  • Students participating in robotics demonstrations in Largo, Fla.
• Support of FIRST Robotics Competition with 40 teams composed of more than 300 students and nearly 100 Raytheon employees. The competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem, build a robot and discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineering and research can be.
• Opening of the Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon,* which promotes math and science education through football for the thousands of school children expected to visit each year. Raytheon has developed an interactive learning display named "In the Numbers" inside the Hall. Raytheon is the sponsor of the Patriots' math curriculum, developed to support visiting school field trips. The Hall is expected to host more than 30,000 students annually.

Raytheon is also working with the Patriots Foundation to develop educational outreach programs. In particular, Raytheon employees are volunteering at several Boys and Girls Clubs in Massachusetts to help create projects toward a "Science of Sports" science fair in May 2009. Each student winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

* Patriot Place is the official home of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

Scholarships and Grants - Raytheon awarded more than $2 million in scholarships and grants to 582 students and teachers and 182 schools nationwide in 2008. The company also successfully redesigned and launched the MathMovesU Middle School Scholarship and Grant program and established the MathMovesU Bonus Study program for college undergraduate students pursuing degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). To apply for a scholarship, visit http://www.raytheon.com/stewardship/mmu/gs/index.html

Launch of MathMovesU.com -Raytheon launched MathMovesU.com, an interactive online destination designed for middle school students that incorporates educational games and activities to showcase the "math" factor behind students' favorite pastimes. The site engages students by catering to their interests and encourages them to invite their friends, interact with online characters and compete in music, fashion and sports contests. To date, more than 700,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and 107 other countries have visited MathMovesU.com, including 265,000 unique visitors in 2008 alone.

"The Raytheon MathMovesU program has made tremendous strides since forming just four years ago," said Kristin Hilf, vice president of public affairs for Raytheon. "The record breaking numbers in 2008 only fuel the MathMovesU mission to spark passion for math and science among America's youth. We're looking forward not only to building upon the success from last year, but to exploring more innovative ideas to support interest in STEM fields."

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86 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.

    Contacts:
    Jennifer K. Chan                                Donna M. Murno
    Raytheon Company                                InkHouse
    781.522.5112                                    781.916.9090 ext. 804
    jennifer_k_chan@raytheon.com                    donna@inkhousepr.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/stewardship/mmu/gs/index.html/

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