WALTHAM, Mass. and LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is hosting 72 high school students at its Sum of all Thrills experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot^® at the Walt Disney World^® Resort. These students are in Orlando to participate in the Air Force Association's (AFA) CyberPatriot All Service Junior ROTC and Civil Air Patrol Division semifinal competition Friday, Feb. 18.

As part of Raytheon's commitment to foster students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), participating CyberPatriot students, teachers and coaches have been invited to visit the company's Sum of all Thrills experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot^® Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

The Sum of all Thrills allows visitors to custom design a virtual thrill ride through the use of innovative touch screen technology and experience their creation in a robotic simulator. The exhibit combines important lessons in math and science during the creation of the ride and is an example of how Raytheon is using innovation to encourage students to develop and sustain an interest in STEM subjects. Raytheon extended the invitation as part of its long-standing commitment to the CyberPatriot program.

Mark Sellke, 2010 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition winner, will also be attending the event. A Raytheon cyberexpert will address students about the importance of pursuing STEM-related careers, including cybersecurity.

"Raytheon takes immense pride and satisfaction in its commitment to ensuring the STEM pipeline, and we're excited to host the next generation of cyberprofessionals at our premiere interactive, math-based exhibit," said Lynn Dugle, president, Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems. "We hope this invitation will be one of many to inspire these students to pursue STEM careers."

"Sum of all Thrills is the perfect venue for such bright students to see how the STEM skills they're developing may come to life," said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot commissioner. "The enthusiasm and dedication to STEM and cybersecurity demonstrated by these semifinalists will undoubtedly position them to excel in STEM-related careers."

The world's largest national high school cyberdefense competition, the CyberPatriot challenge brings together the best and brightest students in STEM and cybersecurity. Students are faced with real-life cyber scenarios as they work to identify, mitigate and defend cybernetworks from threats. The AFA created the CyberPatriot competition as its contribution to improve U.S. students' assessment benchmarks in STEM. The program targets all high school students as early as possible to motivate them to explore STEM.

About the Air Force Association

The AFA is a 501©(3), nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 120,000 members. Visit AFA www.AFA.org.

About CyberPatriot

CyberPatriot is the world's largest national high school cyberdefense competition. For more information, visit www.uscyberpatriot.org.

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 on INNOVENTIONS, visit www.innoventions.disney.com.

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.

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.

Note to Editors:

Following is the list of competing teams:

• Air Academy Composite Squadron (CAP), U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Beach Cities Cadet Squadron 107 (CAP), Gardena, Calif.
• Buena High School (Army JROTC), Sierra Vista, Ariz.
• Clearfield High School (Air Force JROTC), Clearfield, Utah
• Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron (CAP), Colorado Springs, Colo.
• John R. Rogers High School (Air Force JROTC), Spokane, Wash.
• Marine Military Academy (USMC JROTC), Harlingen, Texas
• Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (USMC JROTC), Fitchburg, Mass.
• Nixa High School (Army JROTC), Nixa, Mo.
• Orlando Cadet Squadron (CAP), Orlando, Fla.
• Ramona High School NJROTC (Navy JROTC), Ramona, Calif.
• South Aiken High School (Navy JROTC), Aiken, S.C.

www.raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company