WALTHAM, Mass., May 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will host the nation's top 224 middle school math minds as the title sponsor of the 2010 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS^® National Competition May 6-9 at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The MATHCOUNTS finalists from across the United States will compete to earn the titles of 2010 National Champion and National Champion Team.

This year's finalists advanced beyond more than 100,000 middle school students from 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories, winning their school, local and state MATHCOUNTS competitions. The national competition is the culmination of the MATHCOUNTS enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement throughout the United States.

"Raytheon is committed to inspiring achievement and excellence by exciting students in middle school mathematics, in turn preparing a new generation of technologists and innovators to ensure we remain as a world leader in innovation for the future," said William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company and 2010 MATHCOUNTS honorary chairman. "We want to congratulate all the Mathletes, their teachers and parents who have participated in the MATHCOUNTS program this year. Whether you belong to the club program or compete in this national competition, you are all winners and should be proud of your accomplishments."

Sponsorship of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition is a core component of Raytheon's MathMovesU® program, an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science and help inspire the next generation of technologists and innovators. Raytheon became the title sponsor of the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition in 2009.

Raytheon is celebrating the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition this year with a new, fun and interactive challenge: a five-question math quiz based on previous MATHCOUNTS questions. Raytheon invites both adults and middle school students to complete the quiz on the MathMovesU Facebook page.

The 2010 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition will be available live via webcast Friday, May 7, at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at www.mathcounts.org. Students will have the opportunity to watch and play along with the nation's top middle school Mathletes.

The Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition Champion will receive a Donald G. Weinert Scholarship to the college of his or her choice, along with a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. Members of the winning team will also receive college scholarships and attend space camp.

"The Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition inspires middle school students of all levels to sharpen their critical thinking, while creating problem-solving skills and friendships that will last a lifetime," said Lou DiGioia, executive director of MATHCOUNTS. "We are proud to have Raytheon's support as our title sponsor again in 2010, and we share the commitment of Raytheon's MathMovesU initiative to promote math and science education to millions of students."

About MathMovesU

Raytheon's MathMovesU program is committed to increasing middle 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 three-year sponsorship of the National MATHCOUNTS competition; and the MathMovesU scholarship and grant program providing more than $1 million in annual funding to students and teachers. Follow us on Twitter @raytheonmmu.

About MATHCOUNTS

MATHCOUNTS is a non-profit national math enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory, and is one of the most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students in America. MATHCOUNTS offers teachers, kids and parents free materials to aid them in math enrichment and prepare for a high-tech future that will require mathematics related skills to achieve success. Materials and information are available at the newly redesigned website www.mathcounts.org.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 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 88 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 75,000 people worldwide.

Contacts:

Jennifer K. Chan
Raytheon Company
781.522.5112
jennifer_k_chan@raytheon.com

Scott Montminy
InkHouse
781.791.4553
scott@inkhouse.net

SOURCE Raytheon Company