WALTHAM, Mass., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is highlighting the importance of math to the 21st century workforce in observance of Mathematics Awareness Month. As part of the company's MathMovesU^® initiative — which aims to inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education — Raytheon announced it is extending its title sponsorship of the MATHCOUNTS^® National Competition through 2018. It is also launching a new video series designed to engage middle school students in math challenges and is releasing an infographic — "The 21st Century Workforce: Skills Gap and the STEM Dilemma" — to raise awareness of the importance of math to the United States.

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MathMovesU Developments
MATHCOUNTS: The company has extended its title sponsorship of the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition through 2018. MATHCOUNTS is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging "bee" style contests. The program exists in all 50 states plus U.S. territories and the Department of Defense and State Department schools. Raytheon's support will help the organization meet its mission of providing fun and challenging math programs for U.S. middle school students to increase their academic and professional opportunities.

INFOGRAPHIC: Issued today, "The 21st Century Workforce: Skills Gap and the STEM Dilemma," outlines the current workforce skills gap and the pressing need to engage students with STEM education. Raytheon believes that in order to build the next pipeline of technologists and innovators to ensure a competitive U.S. workforce and future economic growth, students must be shown the relevance of STEM in their everyday lives and future careers.

VIDEO SERIES:  Raytheon launched a new video series that explores "Math Mysteries" using a high-energy game show format to engage middle school students in math challenges. The video series, part of Raytheon's MathMovesU initiative, features interactive learning programs -- including the traveling exhibit MathAlive!™ and Raytheon's Sum of all Thrills™ experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot^® -- as well as scholarships, sponsorships and events.

Throughout the month of April Raytheon is engaging the MathMovesU community of educators, parents, non-profit partners, policy-makers and students to explore the different efforts under way to improve STEM education and inspire the next generation of innovators. Join the conversation with MathMovesU on Twitter or on Facebook.

About MathMovesU
Raytheon's MathMovesU^® program is an initiative 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 the traveling interactive experience MathAlive!™; 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. Follow MathMovesU and other Raytheon community outreach programs on Facebook and on Twitter @MathMovesU.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 91 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. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.

Media Contacts

Raytheon Company
Tina Martineau
+1.781.522.6490
corporatepr@raytheon.com

InkHouse
Scott Montminy
+1.781.966.4100
raytheonpr@inkhouse.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company