LOCAL STUDENTS TAKE TOP PRIZE AT FIFTH ANNUAL TOYchallenge NATIONALS AT SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, PRESENTED BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN

Brighton, MI. (April 28, 2007) – Meghan Cleary, Anna Kelly, Natalie Sanders, and Kelly Redmond, known collectively as The Road Runners showcased their original toy design at the TOYchallenge™ 2007 Nationals at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park on April 21-22. The team, led by Pat Redmond, is one of hundreds of teams of students from across the country that participated in TOYchallenge, a fun-fueled toy- and game-design competition intended to motivate middle school-age kids, especially girls, to pursue their interests in science and engineering education and careers.

The Road Runners team from Brighton, Mich. was awarded the grand prize for “Bop the Bird!,” a high tech hopscotch game that does more than keep players feet moving. The game, which beeps, lights up and even records actions on an electronic scoreboard, has players hopping, hitting and having a great time. Each team member received a medal, a trophy and an invitation to Space Camp with activities including simulated space shuttle missions, training simulators, and talks on space exploration.

Category prize winning teams were also chosen with each member receiving a certificate, medal, a VEX robot, a Ward’s™ Natural Science Kit and a Thames & Kosmos® Kit. Each team also took home a trophy. Winners included: Games for the Family – The Ultimates of Westport, Conn. for “School Survivor”; Get Out and Play – Whatchamacallit of Springfield, Va. for “The Extreme Swing”; and Toys That Teach – TOYologists of Irvine, Calif. for “TOY University.”

Special awards were also presented for Team Spirit, Originality, Engineering, Design, Most Educational, Inspirational, Presentation, Skill Development and Best Adaptability for Groups with Special Needs. All teams received certificates of participation.

For the competition’s Preliminary Round, 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. 150 Preliminary Round finalists were invited to advance to the Nationals. The submissions were judged on originality, creativity, feasibility, design process description, team participation and clarity of communication.

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 tend to drift away from these subjects than boys. 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.

Sally Ride Science
Sally Ride Science™ was founded by astronaut Sally Ride to support the large numbers of girls who are, or might become, interested in science, math and technology. The company creates innovative science experiences for girls that empower them, engage them, and encourage their interests. Current programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, TOYchallengeTM, Sally Ride Science Camps, and Sally Ride Science—After-school clubs. Current publications include a science careers book series, a space book series, a science newsletter, and other science materials. To learn more about Sally Ride Science, visit www.SallyRideScience.com or call 800.561.5161.

Team Members:

Meghan Cleary
Howell, MI
St. Joseph Middle School
Grade 7
Parents: Cheryl and John Cleary


Anna Kelly
Howell, MI
St. Joseph Middle School
Grade 7
Parents: Sharon and Bruce Kelly

Natalie Sanders
Brighton, MI
St. Patrick Middle School
Grade 7
Parents : Victoria and Eric Sanders

Kelly Redmond
Brighton, MI
St. Patrick Middle School
Grade 7
Parents : Patty and Steve Redmond



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CONTACTS
The Roadrunners: Patty Redmond, (810) 533 5017 , redmondsp@sbcglobal.net
Sally Ride Science: Toni DiMartino, (212) 947-8845, tonidimartino@hotmail.com