Local students invited to advance to TOYchallenge Nationals

San Diego ([DATE], 2008) – [STUDENT NAME], [STUDENT NAME], [STUDENT NAME], [STUDENT NAME], [STUDENT NAME], [STUDENT NAME], known collectively as [TEAM NAME], were recently selected to advance to the Sally Ride Science TOYchallenge™ 2008 Nationals at Qualcomm Stadium, in San Diego on May 31st. The team, led by [COACH FIRST AND LAST NAME], is one of hundreds of teams of students from across the country that are participating in TOYchallenge, a fun-fueled toy- and game-design competition that gives kids the chance to step out of their classrooms and develop their engineering and design skills by creating their dream toy.

For the competition’s Preliminary Round, the teams, comprised of at least 50 percent girls, submitted written descriptions and visual presentations of their original toy or game concepts based on themed categories including Games for the Family, Get Out and Play, and Toys that Teach. The submissions were judged on originality, creativity, feasibility, design process description, team participation and clarity of communication. 100 Preliminary Round finalists were invited to advance to the TOYchallenge Nationals to be held at Qualcomm Stadium on May 31st. At the Nationals, one grand prize package will be awarded, and one team will also be named the category prize winner in each theme category.

TOYchallenge (www.TOYchallenge.com) is designed to engage middle school-age students, especially girls, in science and engineering and to inspire them to pursue careers in those fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise only 13 percent of the engineering workforce. However, studies show that, in elementary school, equal numbers of girls and boys are interested in--and good at--math, science and technology. Unfortunately, beginning around the sixth grade, more girls than boys drift away from these subjects. While open to all fifth through eighth graders in the U.S., TOYchallenge focuses on catching girls’ attention in these subjects in order to keep them in the engineering “pipeline.” TOYchallenge is created and run by Sally Ride Science. Northrop Grumman is the presenting sponsor. Southwest Airlines is the official airline of TOYchallenge.

About Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to fueling girls’ and boys’ interests in science, math and technology. Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America’s first woman in space, founded the company in 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire. Our programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, TOYchallenge, Educator Institutes, summer camps, and after-school programs. Our publications include award-winning science books, science career books, and innovative Classroom Sets to supplement science instruction. Our publications and programs bring science to life and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating and fun. For more information go to www.SallyRideScience.com or call 1-800-561-5161.

Contact Information:

[TEAM NAME: COACH FIRST AND LAST NAME]