Raytheon to Launch 'The Sum of All Thrills' at Epcot in 2009

More educational interactions to be opened at Epcot this year. Here's part of the press release:

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 9, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) plans to unveil an interactive, math-based experience called "The Sum of All Thrills" at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The exhibit, set to open fall 2009, will engage children through a fun and educational experience that helps instill a lifelong passion for math, science and technology.

"The Sum of All Thrills" will be a core component of Raytheon's MathMovesU program, an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science, and help create the next generation of innovators for the U.S. It will be located in the INNOVENTIONS pavilion at Epcot, a unique area of the park that contains 100,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to celebrate the inspiration and innovation that improve their lives and expand their horizons.

"Raytheon is working to foster young students' interest and success in math and science, two of the primary fundamentals on which American competitiveness has been built," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO and 2009 MATHCOUNTS honorary chairman. "Raytheon shares The Walt Disney Company's commitment to innovation and education through imagination. We're proud to offer INNOVENTIONS visitors a unique experience that combines all of these attributes and that seeks to unlock the math and science potential within every student."

In addition to the experience at INNOVENTIONS, Raytheon will be supporting another 2009 initiative at the Walt Disney World Resort - the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition. Taking place May 7-10, 2009, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, the competition is the culmination of an enrichment and coaching program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory. Raytheon is the title sponsor of the MATHCOUNTS National Competition for the next three years, through 2011.

I have always admire the Walt Disney Company with this endeavor. First of all, it is NOT easy, and not always popular, to include anything educational in a place where people, especially kids, go on a vacation. For many people, the last thing they want to do is "learn" something while on a vacation. But with Epcot's mission of trying to at least carry out some of Walt's initial vision for the theme park, the Disney Company at least continues to provide such platform, especially in the Innoventions pavilions. That has to be commended.

So parents, if you want a few minutes to rest and sit down while your kids run around and actually get to learn something, please visit Innoventions at Epcot. Your kids will learn something valuable without knowing it, and you get a breather.

Zz.