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Raytheon and the New England Patriots Encourage Youth to Find the Science in Sports

Posted on: Monday, 27 April 2009, 10:44 CDT

More than 50 students competed in Science Fair; winning team awarded scholarships

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., April 27, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the New England Patriots hosted the "Science of Sports" Science Fair on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Eleven teams from Greater Boston-area Boys & Girls Clubs displayed their projects highlighting the science and math elements of popular sports.

The "Science of Sports" Science Fair is the culmination of a six-month program. It involved Raytheon employee volunteers making weekly visits to the Woburn, Lawrence, Waltham, Roxbury and Dorchester-Blue Hill Avenue Boys & Girls Clubs to help imagine and execute projects that explore math or science through sports.

The competing teams presented their projects to a panel of judges including Raytheon's Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson, New England Patriots' Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, and Patriot's inside linebacker Jerod Mayo.

The Gearheads from the Lawrence, Mass., Boys and Girls Club won the competition for their project, which determined how gears make pedaling easier on a bicycle. Each member of the team will receive a $1000 scholarship provided by Raytheon and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. Projects were judged based on levels of creativity and innovation; scientific approach and demonstrated knowledge; presentation and display; and teamwork and team spirit.

"Raytheon is proud of its association with the New England Patriots and our opportunity to help the youth of New England make the connection between math and science and the excitement of sports," Swanson said. "We believe that math and science will serve them well as they pursue exciting careers in the future -- and that their success will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the region."

"The projects are very impressive, and it is encouraging to see these young students excited by science," said Kraft. "As a country, we are not graduating nearly enough scientists and engineers to compete in a global economy that is increasingly reliant on a high tech workforce. This is an issue that is especially relevant to New England. The work that Raytheon is doing with programs like this, getting kids excited about potential careers using math and science skills, is exceptional. We are proud to partner with them on Science of Sports and with other math and science education opportunities at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon."

"Science of Sports" is born of Raytheon's belief that creating awareness and reinforcing math and science skills to youth are important to preserve the U.S. edge in technology and innovation. The program expands the partnership between Raytheon and The New England Patriots, who opened The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon in September 2008. Raytheon supports The Hall's education program, which benefits visiting school groups, and sponsors an "In the Numbers" exhibit at the Hall, which is an interactive trivia game using math and science questions related to football.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 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 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

About the Hall at Patriot Place Present By Raytheon

The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon is the crown jewel of Patriot Place and the only sports and education experience of its kind in the world. Through a dazzling array of interactive multimedia exhibits and artifacts never before viewable by the public, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon showcases the tradition of the New England Patriots, explores the history of football in New England, and promotes math and science education for the thousands of schoolchildren expected to visit each year. For more information, please visit www.patriot-place.com/thehall.

Note to Editors:

The winners of the "Science of Sports" Science Fair are The Lawrence Gearheads:

• Cheyenne Alexander
• JC Figueroa
• Unity Henoud
• Bethany Maynard
• Alberto Polanco
• Kane Weber
• Chasity Weber

Photo available upon request.

Contacts: Jon Kasle Jeff Cournoyer Raytheon New England Patriots 781.522.5110 774.406.6487 jon_kasle@raytheon.com jeffco@patriots.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company

Source: PR Newswire

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