FOXBOROUGH, Mass., (May 16, 2011) - For the past five months, more than 100 students from Boys & Girls Clubs throughout New England worked with Raytheon mentors, anxiously awaiting this year's "Science of Sports" Science Fair, presented by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the New England Patriots. This past Sunday, May 15, 19 teams hailing from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island displayed their projects highlighting the science and math behind popular sports at this year's fair.
Each week, more than 40 Raytheon employee volunteers made weekly visits to 12 Boys & Girls Club locations (Dorchester, Framingham, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Marlboro, Nashua (NH), Newport (RI), Pawtucket (RI), Roxbury, Waltham and Woburn Boys & Girls Clubs) to help imagine and execute projects that explore math or science through sports in preparation for the "Science of Sports" Science Fair. The competing teams presented their projects to a panel of executive judges including Raytheon's Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson, The Kraft Group's Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, and Patriots safety Patrick Chung.
The "Roxbury Patriots" from the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club won the competition for their project, which tested how the coefficient of friction affects the way a sports shoe moves on different surfaces - specifically, basketball shoes, football cleats, and running shoes. Each member of the team will receive a $1,000 scholarship provided by Raytheon and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. The "Cranium Crasherz" from the Woburn Boys & Girls Club took second place and each team member will receive a $750 scholarship. The third place team, "The Hullosters" is from the Lawrence club and each member will receive a $500 scholarship. Projects were judged based on levels of creativity and innovation; scientific approach and demonstrated knowledge; presentation and display; and teamwork and team spirit.
"This is the third year we have hosted the Science of Sports with Raytheon and each year I think the teams from the Boys & Girls Clubs get more creative with their projects," said Kraft. "Raytheon is one of the most innovative companies in the world and are leading advocates for team-building and mentoring programs. Each year, Bill Swanson provides dozens of Raytheon engineers to help mentor the teams of boys and girls to help inspire them to be creative with their projects. It is so important that children take an interest in math and science at a young age and mentoring can be such a catalyst for that. After visiting with each team today, I was so encouraged by the passion the students showed for their individual projects. You can tell that they worked hard and learned a lot during the process. I want to congratulate all of the participants and thank each of their mentors. They should all be very proud of their projects. It is exciting to see the students explore the many connections between sports and science. It is my hope that this program inspires these young people to go on to accomplish many great things in the fields of math and science."
"Congratulations to the winners, and all of the great students, who worked hard to compete at the intersection of science, math and sports," said Swanson. "Raytheon hopes this experience has stretched their minds and drives them toward rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We would like to thank the coaches, parents and Raytheon mentors for all of their contributions in making the science fair a big success. We also are extremely grateful for the strong support of Robert Kraft and the entire Kraft family. Year after year their passion for football is only exceeded by their commitment to the community and important educational outreach events like this science fair."
"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.
About Raytheon Company
Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 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 89 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 72,000 people worldwide.
About the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the non-profit organization established by the Kraft family in 1994 to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to charitable causes, and from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of the New England region by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health. The Foundation has taken special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com/community.
The Grand Prize winners of the "Science of Sports" Science Fair are "Math Shoes" from the Roxbury club:
Team members:
-Abdul Teslim
-Sineca Howell
-Dante Zayas
-Sabrena Hairston
-Salina Amanual
-Isaiah Milton
-Khadijaj Diop
Raytheon Mentors:
-Stephen Sparagna
-Steven Palmer
Second place winners from the Woburn club:
Team members:
-Cory Daly
-Calvin Knowles
-Kelsie Gilbert
-Andrew Winston
-Cassidy Anusevitch
Raytheon Mentors:
-Joe Divito
-Midge Hill
Third place winners from the Lawrence club:
Team members:
-JC Figueroa
-Bethany Maynard
-Bryanna Matias
-Dannery Serrano
-Peter Garcia
Raytheon Mentors:
-George Luongo
-Kurt Mittelstaedt
