WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is supporting and encouraging academic achievement across America by committing more than $1 million in education scholarships and grants for the 2011-2012 school year. The investment rewards students and teachers who excel in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education as part of the company's MathMovesU® program, and provides scholarships to children of Raytheon employees planning to attend college.

"Raytheon is continuing its longstanding commitment to supporting education, most notably in the STEM disciplines," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson. "Today's students show great promise and have the ability to further our nation's role as a global leader in innovation. By providing support, we are investing in our collective future."

Raytheon's commitment to tomorrow's STEM leaders and innovators is magnified by employee volunteerism in communities throughout the country. Raytheon volunteers donate their time and talent to create a positive difference in the lives of others, particularly through math and science education enrichment. Employees logged more than 75,000 volunteer hours in 2010, and their engagement in 2011 has increased to more than 120,000 hours already accounted for year to date.

Annually, 150 U.S. students are chosen to receive $1,000 MathMovesU Middle School Scholarships with the option to attend math and science camps, technology programs or to save money for college. This year's recipients were chosen from a pool of nearly 3,000 applicants who created multimedia presentations describing how math "puts action in their passion." Each recipient's middle school was awarded a matching grant from Raytheon.

Raytheon also honors 32 teachers from across the country through the MathMovesU Math Hero Awards program. The award recognizes outstanding contributions toward engaging students in math through interactive and creative learning initiatives. Each Math Hero will receive a $2,500 award and a matching grant for his or her school.

Additional scholarships will be announced throughout the 2011-2012 school year. These include (but are not limited to) awards to participants in the Raytheon-sponsored FIRST® Robotics competition who are pursuing collegiate STEM degrees, and separate awards to children of Raytheon employees in support of their collegiate studies.

For a complete listing of this year's winners, or for more information about individual scholarships, please visit www.mathmovesu.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 ongoing sponsorship of the MATHCOUNTS® National Competition; and the MathMovesU scholarship and grant program providing more than $1 million in annual funding to students and teachers. Follow MathMovesU and other Raytheon community outreach programs on Twitter @RaytheonCSR.

About Raytheon

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.

www.raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company