As part of the Raytheon MathMovesU initiative with our area middle schools, Raytheon employees Sherry E. Howard, Sandra Mejia and Brenda Hale were on hand October 16 to kick off the 2009-2010 school year at Tom Bean Middle School by hosting the “Tom Bean TC Cruiser” contest. 

This program was presented to 58 students of which they were presented kits of components that they could use to build their cruiser but the catch was to design a car that was less costly (all parts in the kit were priced), designed aerodynamically and could travel 6’ with minimum blowing times.  The students were given 25 minutes to design their cruisers from the furnished kits and then raced by getting down on the floor and blowing the cars across the finish line.  The event demonstrated the need for teamwork, thinking of all possible scenarios, and building a product cost effectively in a predetermined time. 

Three out of 13 teams were chosen as the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners by the Raytheon team of volunteers.  Each team was presented a trophy for display at the school along with some cool giveaways.   

The Raytheon Women’s Network thanked Principal Dewitt Smith, Ms. Christy Rhodes (math teacher and recent winner of the Raytheon Math Heroes Award for two $2500 scholarships) and Superintendent Kathy Garrison for allowing them to come to the school and present this program to the students. 

Two additional events will be held this school year for the 7^th and 8^th grade students.  What a fun day!