Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
This is a tall order, but I believe we have made a strong start. Our team's work in support of STEM education is a good example of innovation broadly defined and executed. We know STEM education is important to Raytheon because we are, after all, a technology company that must always be able to retain and attract STEM talent. We also know that future generations, and society, will need these same skills to prosper. In the long run, it is the single best investment we can make for our country.
Given the importance of the STEM education challenge, the company's approach has been innovative and multifaceted.
Our MathMovesU® program, developed by Raytheon in 2005, is reaching out to middle school students on their own terms to help them make the connection between studying math and science now and having exciting careers later. Since its inception, the program has touched the lives of more than 700,000 students, teachers and parents through interactive learning programs, contests, live events, scholarships, tutoring programs and more.
A core component of MathMovesU is an exciting new sponsorship at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort called the Sum of All Thrills.™ This interactive exhibit is scheduled to be unveiled later this year at the INNOVENTIONS pavilion. The exhibit will offer children (and the child in all of us) an exciting experience to help instill a passion for math and engineering principles. It is an experience one will not soon forget.
Raytheon has teamed with the New England Patriots to unveil another exciting educational experience, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. It is our hope that tens of thousands of students will experience the math and science education program we have developed for school groups visiting one of the most exciting venues in the country.
The company is pleased, as well, to be title sponsor of the 2009-2011 MATHCOUNTS® National Competition, another innovative approach to promote excitement in math among young students.
Last but not least, the company has developed a unique modeling tool using system dynamics techniques to represent how students move through the U.S. STEM educational system. Raytheon and the Business-Higher Education Forum, of which I am honored to be vice-chair, are now working with others to form a community of researchers and modelers to expand the effort. We believe we have demonstrated that the modeling of the U.S. education system is an effective method for examining educational policy changes, and this is quite encouraging.
While the world is wrestling with economic challenges at the moment, many business leaders believe, as I do, that we cannot afford to turn away from other strategic imperatives, like STEM education, that will be fundamental to the health of our companies and our society in the years to come. This is why we have declared 2009 to be the "Year of Math in Action."
By expanding our STEM engagement and visibility in 2009, we hope to elevate the discussion and, more importantly, to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
