Raytheon kicks off week of interactive, math-focused events at Epcot Center

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 13, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate National Engineers Week and promote innovative ways to teach math and science to children, Raytheon Company will host a series of child-friendly, hands-on science and math demonstrations at Epcot® Theme Park in Orlando, Fla.

The interactive demonstrations, taking place Feb. 17 and Feb. 19 from 1-4:30 p.m. in the Wonders of Life pavilion, are part of Raytheon's commitment to spurring interest among middle school students in math and science through its MathMovesU program.

Raytheon engineers will teach nearly 350 local students how to make snow using fundamental engineering and mathematical principles. The Epcot demonstrations follow Raytheon's Feb. 9 announcement that the company will unveil an interactive, math-based attraction at Epcot in fall 2009 called "The Sum of All Thrills." The attraction will engage children through a fun and educational experience that helps instill a lifelong passion for math, science and technology.

"Raytheon is dedicated to inspiring students and nurturing interest in math and science fields," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO. "Our sponsorship of National Engineers Week is one example of the many MathMovesU initiatives Raytheon undertakes through the year. We are proud of our innovative approach in reaching students and helping to ensure the future success of our nation by fostering the next generation of U.S. innovators."

In addition to the demonstrations at Epcot, there are more than 25 events scheduled around the country this week, including:

Arizona

On Feb. 20, more than 100 students will attend a presentation by Raytheon executive and former NASA astronaut Don McMonagle. McMonagle will share his experiences in space, including on the shuttles Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis, to help get students excited about pursuing careers in math, engineering and science.

California

In El Segundo Feb. 16, Deanne Bell, host of the Discovery Channel's "Smash Lab," and NASCAR driver Leilani Munter will discuss with students how math and science make their careers possible. Students will also have the opportunity to tour a traveling space museum, compete in an Xbox video game challenge, see the Zero South Polar Exploration Vehicle and learn about robots in the LEGO League Robotics demo.

On Feb. 18, more than 100 high school math and science students from Los Angeles County will partake in a competition to generate "green power" assisted by Raytheon aerospace engineers. In Goleta, numerous student activities will be held such as job shadowing of Raytheon engineers to share with college students a day in the life of a successful engineer. Raytheon will also host "Introduce a Girl to Engineering" day at a local elementary school in an effort to inspire more female students to become interested in engineering and related fields.

Colorado

On Feb. 17, university students will visit an Aurora technology fair with Raytheon volunteers and discuss engineering career opportunities. On Feb. 18 and 19, middle and high school students will visit the Aurora Raytheon campus, learn about MathMovesU and fun careers, and participate in engineering-related competitions.

Massachusetts

On Feb. 19, middle and high school students will receive a tour from Raytheon engineers at the company's Andover campus.

Maryland

On Feb. 20, middle school students from Riverdale will attend the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference where a special MathMovesU exhibit will be on display and presented by Raytheon engineers.

Mississippi

In Forest, Raytheon campus tours will be conducted Feb. 19 with high school students who are interested in pursuing career paths in engineering, science, math and physics. Raytheon engineers will also work with the students to perform electromagnetic experiments to provide additional insight into engineering- and math-related fields.

Nebraska

Female high school students will visit Raytheon in Omaha for "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" Feb. 19. Additionally, Raytheon engineers will visit local middle schools to discuss MathMovesU.

Rhode Island

On March 26, as an extension of National Engineers Week, Raytheon will host female high school students from Mt. Hope High School in Bristol at its Seapower Capability Center in Portsmouth where they will be introduced to interesting careers in naval and marine engineering.

Texas

"Lunch and learn" and interactive, math-themed games will take place with Raytheon engineers in McKinney and Dallas Feb. 16 and 17. On Feb. 18 in Plano, students will compete to build wind turbines, followed by an awards presentation to the winning team.

Virginia

On Feb. 17, Falls Church high school students will visit the Raytheon campus for tours, demos and lunch. On Feb. 18, Raytheon engineers will teach science at a local elementary school, providing an overview of the subject as well as possible careers and MathMovesU.

Since its inception in 2005, Raytheon's MathMovesU program has touched the lives of more than 700,000 students, teachers and parents in an effort to help engage students in math and science through interactive learning programs, contests, live events, scholarships and more. MathMovesU.com offers a virtual space to educate and entertain middle school students through games and activities that showcase the math behind students' favorite pastimes. The site engages students on their own terms, encourages them to invite their friends, interact with online characters and compete in contests centered on music, fashion, sports and travel.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 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 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors:

For a complete listing of schools, please contact Jennifer Chan at jennifer_k_chan@raytheon.com or Donna Murno at donna@inkhousepr.com.

    Contacts:
    Jennifer K. Chan
    781.879.2030
    jennifer_k_chan@raytheon.com

    Donna M. Murno
    781.916.9090 ext. 804
    donna@inkhousepr.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/149999.html