October 20, 2005

Terry Goddard to Open the 2005 Techathalon
Arizona Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs Showcase Students' Technological Abilities

(Phoenix, Ariz.) Attorney General Terry Goddard will welcome more than 250 participants to the third annual Techathalon on Saturday, October 22, at 9 a.m. This "techie" competition will be held at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.

The Techathalon is a statewide competition that brings together young people from throughout Arizona to showcase their technology skills. The challenges include Trading Clubs (graphic design), Digital Story Telling (productivity software mastery), Tech Adventure (technical know-how) and Brain Busters (creative thinking techniques and teamwork).

Goddard will participate in the Opening Ceremonies which will include a presentation on NetSmartz, an Internet Safety program for children.

"One of the best decisions I made as Attorney General was partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs to promote Internet Safety," Goddard said. "The Internet is a great resource for kids to use, and this partnership has taught students how to use this resource safely."

This day-long program begins at 9 a.m. Participants range in age from 6 to 18 years old, and will be divided into three categories: Rookies (ages 6-9), Amateurs (ages 10-12), and Professionals (ages 13 and older). The groups will be assigned to age-appropriate projects and will be judged on the overall quality of the project, their ability to meet required guidelines, and teamwork and collaborative skills.

In addition to the competition, participants will also explore cutting-edge technology tools in the Exploratorium, a fun-filled science, technology, engineering and math carnival.

The Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig club is located at 2242 W. Missouri Ave in Phoenix. For more information about the Techathalon, please contact Carlos Samano, Communications Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, at 602.954.8182.