ST. LOUIS, May 1, 2008 – Seventeen teams of computer- savvy teens will put their high-tech skills to the test this Saturday, May 3, at Webster University during the School of Business and Technology’s fifth annual High School Programming Challenge. The three-hour competition begins at 9 a.m. at Webster’s Sverdrup Business and Technology Complex. The event is co-sponsored by Maritz, Scottrade and Hunter Engineering Co.

The challenge features two programming divisions: Object- oriented, which includes Java or C++; and Web programming, which develops HTML files that are used in Web sight creation. Each division consists of 10 questions that vary from relatively simple to very complex. In addition, the questions are designed to emphasize problem-solving skills instead of merely focusing on code writing.

The top three schools in each division will take home trophies and cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. Members of the top three teams in each division receive medals of recognition.

Local schools participating in this year’s High School Programming Challenge include Christian Brothers College (CBC), Ladue Horton Watkins, Lindbergh, Marquette, South Technical and St. Louis Priory.

The Challenge is designed to stimulate interest among high school students in pursuing a programming career. According to Peter Maher, assistant professor of math and computer science in Webster’s School of Business and Technology, the need for skilled computer professionals continues to grow.

“Certainly a lot of high-tech jobs have been outsourced to other countries, but there’s still more than enough to go around,” Maher said. “In fact, because it’s so difficult to manage and oversee how this work is performed overseas, several large employers are now shying away from outsourcing and are bringing these jobs back to the States.”

Maher said Webster will continue to satisfy the need for up-to-date computer science educational offerings with the introduction of two new degree programs next fall. The B.S. in Information Systems degree concentrates on applications related to Web development, while the B.S. in Information Management focuses on the business aspects of computer science, including accounting and database requirements.

Webster University (www.webster.edu) is an international, multi- campus university, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. Founded in 1915 as a small private college, Webster now offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges in 108 domestic and international campus locations. The student population of more than 21,000 men and women ranges in age from traditional college-age students to adult learners, and represents 150 nationalities. The university is committed to excellence in teaching, to joining theory and practice, to small class sizes, and to educating students to be lifelong independent learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.