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Friday, November 21, 2008
Tech Citizenship
Raytheon moves math for kids
Rodney Brown on NECN: Hacking into medical devices
Raytheon Co. technology is used by the U.S. and other militaries all over the world — but the defense contractor is also active in New England philanthropy as well.
The company recently added 30 scholarships worth $20,000 each to its MathMovesU program, which includes among other features a web-based video game to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math among middle school and high school students. Five thousand of the defense giant’s employees — mostly engineers — volunteer their time to work on the MathMovesU program, according to Raytheon vice president of community relations Kristin Hilf. The employees mentor FIRST Robotics teams, tutor students, make monetary donations and work on the MathMovesU video game, Hilf said.
Hilf wouldn’t say how much money Raytheon invests in MathMovesU in particular, but the company’s New England operations donated more than $2.6 million to charitable efforts in 2007.
In addition to MathMovesU, Raytheon sponsors the New England Patriots hall of fame exhibit at Patriot Place Mall in Foxborough. The company provides interactive game kiosks intended to show children how math is involved in football. The Waltham company and the three-time Super Bowl winner also co-sponsor science fairs at five local schools.
Programs like MathMovesU and the Patriots’ collaboration can show people another side of the defense contractor, Hilf said.
“It hopefully shows people how innovative the company is,” Hilf said. “That’s how we think of ourselves.”
Citizenship Facts
Raytheon Co.
Total cash contributions in New England in 2007: $2,654,715
Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2007: Not available
In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2007: Not available
Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2007: Raytheon’s charitable contributions were in the main areas where the company has a significant presence, such as Massachusetts, North Texas, Southern California and Southern Arizona.
Interesting philanthropic activities: Raytheon’s MathMovesU program continues to be the company’s most compelling and rewarding philanthropic activity. MathMovesU leverages the passion and engagement of its employees, and helps Raytheon drive interactive math and science initiatives to coach, fund and engage students who have the promise to be future engineers.
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