WGBH, Raytheon launch nationwide PBS LearningMedia program integrating engineering in K-12 classrooms

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Engineers Week, WGBH and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) – the Waltham, Mass.-based technology and innovation leader – have partnered to build a new collection of media-rich resources for K-12 educators that teach to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The collection – "Teaching NGSS Engineering Design Through Media" – is now available on PBS LearningMedia™ and features a wide range of tools to engage and inspire young engineers in K-12 classrooms.

"Raytheon understands the critical need to support educators as they integrate engineering into their curriculum," said Pamela Erickson, Raytheon's vice president of Corporate Affairs. "By working with WGBH and PBS LearningMedia to bring these important professional development resources to teachers nationwide, we hope to help cultivate the next generation of engineers."

WGBH is Boston's only multi-platform public broadcaster and is the largest producer of television and web content for PBS. In 2002, WGBH created Teachers' Domain, a broadband resource service for Massachusetts teachers that established the foundation for the national PBS LearningMedia. Last year, WGBH was named the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lead for PBS LearningMedia, a free, online service for teachers across the U.S. with more than 35,000 curriculum-based digital resources.

The launch of this new collection of engineering resources follows WGBH's recent designation as a partner in the 100Kin10 initiative that strives to recruit, train and retain 100,000 STEM teachers before 2021.

"By joining forces, WGBH and Raytheon aim to help teachers deepen their knowledge of the NGSS, celebrate engineering in the classroom and support students' potential as the next generation of engineers," said Brigid Sullivan, WGBH's vice president of Children's Media and Educational Programming. "This collection invites viewers not only to recognize the products of engineering in their everyday lives – the sneakers on their feet, the subway they ride to school or work, the door alarms that protect their homes – but also to glimpse the future of engineering: robots that understand social cues, improved artificial limbs for amputee athletes, or human habitation on the moon or Mars. We are proud to work with Raytheon on this exciting endeavor."

The robust collection features more than 40 multi-media resources drawn from WGBH's award-winning series that include Design Squad/Design Squad Nation, Fetch with Ruff Ruffman and Nova ScienceNow. In addition, through a special collaboration with the Museum of Science, Boston and the Engineering is Elementary^® curriculum it created, "Teaching NGSS Engineering Design Through Media" features professional development videos that illustrate classroom best practices. Since January, WGBH has hosted three webinars for elementary, middle and high school teachers that introduce the collection and offer a closer look at the NGSS as they pertain to engineering. To increase educator familiarity with the collection, WGBH has also drawn on the power of social media to generate awareness among educators looking for high quality tools to support engineering instruction.

About WGBH 
WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Arthur, Curious George and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle, and children's series, reaching nearly 75 million people each month. WGBH also is a major supplier of programming for public radio, and oversees Public Radio International (PRI). As a leader in educational multimedia for the classroom, WGBH partnered with PBS to create PBS LearningMedia™, an on-demand media service for educators and students. WGBH also is a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards and Oscars. Find more information at www.wgbh.org.

About Raytheon 
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 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 cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Media Contact
Raytheon Company
Tina Martineau
+1.781.522.6490
[email protected]

WGBH
Mike Raia
+1.617.300.5333
[email protected] 

SOURCE Raytheon Company