WALTHAM, Mass., May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) awarded $300,000 in scholarships and grants to middle school students and their schools as part of its MathMovesU^® program, an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science. Each of the 150 middle school students from across the United States will receive a $1,000 MathMovesU Middle School Scholarship to be used for a math, science or technology camp or program, or saved for the first year of college. Additionally, each recipient's school will receive a matching grant from Raytheon.

"Encouraging middle school students to study math and science is important to ensuring they continue on to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or math," said Pamela Erickson, Raytheon's vice president of Corporate Affairs. "The MathMovesU scholarship and grant program is one example of Raytheon's commitment to encourage and support students as they pursue their education in a STEM-related field."

The 150 scholarship recipients were selected from a pool of 6th, 7th and 8th grade student applicants who created a multimedia presentation that illustrates the importance of math in the world around them. Student submissions were evaluated on creativity, originality, time commitment and the use of math equations to demonstrate an enthusiasm for the subject.

The MathMovesU Middle School Scholarships are just one way Raytheon highlights the importance of math to the 21^st century workforce. Raytheon engages with 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.

For more information about MathMovesU grant and scholarship programs, please 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

Raytheon Company
Tina Martineau
+1.781.522.6490
corporatepr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company