WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a platinum sponsor of this weekend's USA Science & Engineering Festival, the country's first national science festival, on the National Mall. Raytheon, along with more than 500 leading science organizations, will engage thousands of students with a hands-on activity designed to encourage exploration of math and science.

Raytheon's exhibit, located on Pennsylvania Avenue, will feature the company's MathMovesU program and provide students the opportunity to interact with engineers. Students will build their own rubber band-powered propeller race car while applying the principles of physics such as thrust and drag. Participants will then put their designs to the test on a 20-foot racetrack provided by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

This sponsorship is another example of Raytheon's commitment to increasing middle school students' interest in STEM education by engaging them in hands-on, interactive activities. Select initiatives within the company's signature MathMovesU program include the following:

• Change the Equation (CTEq):  Launched at the White House by President Obama Sept. 16, 2010, the CTEq initiative supports the president's "Educate to Innovate" campaign, designed to increase private and philanthropic involvement in STEM education. CTEq is the first and only national CEO network devoted entirely to cultivating widespread literacy in STEM with a focus on a larger and more racially, ethnically and gender-diverse pool of students. Raytheon joins other companies in this effort and has pledged to invest in STEM programs during the next five years.
• U.S. STEM Education Model:  Raytheon and Business Higher-Education Forum (BHEF) have partnered to produce the first-ever simulation and modeling tool for the U.S. STEM education system. This tool, known as the U.S. STEM Education Model, enables researchers, policy-makers and educators to explore policy scenarios that can strengthen U.S. STEM education and workforce outcomes.
• The Sum of all Thrills™:  Raytheon is proud to present the Sum of all Thrills, a one-of-a-kind experience that lets children and park guests custom-design their own ride using mathematical tools and then immediately experience it in a robotic simulator. Sum of all Thrills is located within INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®, Walt Disney World. In addition to the experience at INNOVENTIONS®, Raytheon also created a virtual Sum of all Thrills experience on-line at www.MathMovesU.com
• MATHCOUNTS:  Raytheon is the title sponsor of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition, a math enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory.
• The Hall at Patriot Place:  Raytheon believes excitement for math and science can be encouraged by learning through sports. To that end, Raytheon celebrates the history and achievement of the New England Patriots while also promoting math and science education for children through football at The Hall at Patriot Place. Raytheon developed an interactive football-themed learning display called "In the Numbers" inside The Hall. Raytheon also sponsors the Patriots' math curriculum and works with the Patriots Foundation to develop educational outreach programs throughout Massachusetts. Patriot Place is the official home of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
• Sponsorships:  Raytheon annually sponsors National Engineers Week and the FIRST Robotics Competition, each incorporating events and competitions to engage and excite students in math.

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.

SOURCE Raytheon Company