FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2009

ADVISORY TO NEWS ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

WHAT:          

Eighteen teams of computer-savvy teens will put their high-tech skills to the test at Webster University during the School of Business and Technology’s 6th Annual High School Programming Challenge

WHEN:                       

Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon

WHERE:  

Webster University’s Sverdrup Business and Technology Complex

8300 Big Bend Blvd. (intersection of Big Bend and Eager Rd.)

BACKGROUND:

Sponsored by World Wide Technology, Delta Dental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the three-hour competition tests high schoolers in object-oriented programming and Web programming with questions designed to emphasize problem-solving skills instead of merely focusing on code writing.

The Challenge is held each year to stimulate interest among high school students in pursuing a career in programming. “The need for those in high-tech jobs continues to grow,” says Webster University professor Martha Smith, director of this year’s competition. “We want to recognize the skills of those teens already working with computers at this high a level as well as promote the latest cutting-edge careers available in the field.”

The top three schools in each division will take home trophies and cash prizes for first, second and third place. Members of the top three teams receive medals of recognition. Local schools participating in this year’s Programming Challenge include Ladue Horton Watkins, South Technical School, Lindbergh High School Marquette High School, St. Louis Priory, Webster Groves High School and Lewis & Clark Career Center.

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