WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is expanding its commitment to math and science education through a $1 million gift that will help extend the national impact of the Museum of Science, Boston's Engineering is Elementary® (EiE) program.

The latest gift from Raytheon, part of the company's MathMovesU® initiative, will support the training of elementary school teachers implementing the EiE program's successful engineering and technology curriculum. The funds are designated to expand EiE training hubs beyond Boston, establishing new professional development centers in Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Ariz., and Huntsville, Ala., in order to facilitate the adoption of EiE by more classrooms throughout the country. To date, teachers have mainly relied upon the Museum of Science's Boston-based staff and some existing local infrastructure for training and development associated with the program.

The research-based, standards-driven EiE program integrates the basic concepts and skills of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the form of a classroom-proven curriculum that has already reached more than 27,000 teachers and 2.5 million students in the U.S.

"By helping teachers bring the basic concepts of engineering and technology to life, they will be able to excite future generations of students to become the innovators of tomorrow," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson. "We share the Museum of Science's desire to accelerate the adoption of its Engineering is Elementary program, and to support teachers throughout the nation who are committed to instilling a passion for STEM among America's young students."

Elementary schools commonly lack compelling activities and reliable materials for fostering literacy among students in the "E" and "T" of STEM education. The Engineering is Elementary program is designed to fill that gap.

"EiE enables teachers to connect the dots between traditional math and science education and the enjoyment of building things that is shared by younger students," said Museum of Science, Boston's president and director Ioannis (Yannis) N. Miaoulis. "Raytheon keenly understands the strategic imperative of cultivating interest in STEM subject matter starting in the elementary school years. The company's gift will act as a catalyst for us to build the local infrastructure – the support for tools and workshops in EiE that will educate the teachers who train other teachers – creating literally thousands of elementary engineering teachers nationwide."

Raytheon is the Museum of Science, Boston's longest active corporate supporter with a relationship dating to 1953. The two organizations share an ongoing commitment to math and science fundamentals that help develop tomorrow's leaders.

Raytheon is making its gift on World Teachers' Day to recognize the many accomplishments and important contributions of teachers worldwide. The company's investment builds upon its recent commitment to provide more than $1 million in education scholarships and grants for the 2011-2012 school year. In the past five years, Raytheon has committed more than $60 million to MathMovesU, STEM and education programs.

About The Museum of Science, Boston's Engineering is Elementary® Program

The Museum of Science, Boston is the only science museum in the country with a comprehensive strategy and infrastructure to foster technological literacy in both science museums and schools nationwide.

Initiated in 2003, the Museum's EiE program taps into the natural curiosity of elementary school children to cultivate their understanding of engineering and technology. Its curriculum provides a structure for teamwork as students work together to apply their knowledge of science and math in creative ways, and to design, create and improve possible solutions.

Formed through the Museum's National Center for Technological Literacy®, the EiE curriculum consists of 20 storybook units featuring children from diverse cultures and backgrounds around the world. Unit titles include Catching the Wind: Designing Windmills; Just Passing Through: Designing Model Membranes; and Taking the Plunge: Designing Submersibles. Further information on EiE units is available at http://www.mos.org/eie/20_unit.php.

EiE is one of seven programs chosen by Change the Equation as part of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" campaign to improve STEM education. Raytheon is a corporate member of Change the Equation.

About MathMovesU

Raytheon's MathMovesU program is committed to increasing middle and elementary 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. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

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SOURCE Raytheon Company