WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will introduce girls across the country to engineering with a series of MathMovesU^® events designed to inspire young women to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). By showcasing their personal connections to math and science, Raytheon mentors hope to encourage young women to pursue careers in engineering.

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The activities are part of 'Girl Day,' a movement championed by DiscoverE to show girls how creative and collaborative engineering is, and demonstrate how engineers are changing the world. Engineering is a fast growing profession in the U.S.; however, according to the National Science Foundation, only 19 percent of bachelor degrees in engineering are earned by women, and only 11 percent of engineers in the workforce are women.

Rebecca Rhoads, president, Raytheon Global Business Services, and chief information officer, said: "We care deeply about creating a diverse, inclusive culture – because we know it leads to innovation and progress. To attract more young women to engineering, our employees give their time and talents to show young women that engineers are creative, inventive, passionate people who have a positive impact on the world around them."

Raytheon's Girl Day events include hands-on science and engineering demonstrations at The Hall at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass., and INNOVENTIONS at Epcot^® at the Walt Disney World^® Resort in Florida; Girl Power Day in Tucson, Ariz.; engineering activities for middle school girls in San Diego, Calif., and "shadow an engineer day" and lab tours in El Segundo, Calif. Each event is championed by Raytheon employee mentors who believe inspiring girls to pursue STEM subjects will have a long-term impact on individual and collective success.

To learn more about Raytheon's science, technology, engineering and math education initiatives, visit www.MathMovesU.com.

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 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 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 cyber security and 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 Contact

Tina Martineau
+1.781.522.6490
corporatepr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company