To join in the fun of TOYchallenge, the design teams comprised of children in grades five through eight - half of whom are required to be girls - picked an adult coach, chose a theme from seven toy categories such as "Games for the Family," "Get out and Play," and "Remarkable Robots," and were invited to present their original toy or game concept at regional showcases. Teams that were unable to attend the events were encouraged to send in their designs for consideration.

The kid-designed toys will be on display at the National Showcase, with many teams on-hand to discuss designs with attendees as well as the judging panel, which includes Hasbro toymakers and Smith College engineering professors. The designs will be judged on originality, creativity, engineering elegance, feasibility, communication and team participation.

Three Grand Prizes will be awarded, including a trip to Space Camp(a), creation of personalized Hasbro figures in team members' likenesses, and a Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit for each team member. Category winners will also be chosen and prizes will be given for engineering, design, team spirit and originality. ((a) travel not included)

Showcase attendees will have the opportunity to hear a talk by Sally Ride, explore the San Diego Aerospace Museum, win cool prizes in a museum scavenger hunt, make goo at the Sally Ride Science slime booth, and much more. Students can also meet kids their own age from all around the United States with their award-winning toys and learn how they can design their very own toy for TOYchallenge 2005.

"We are delighted to mark the finale of TOYchallenge 2004 with a festive day at the San Diego Aerospace Museum to be enjoyed by kids of all ages," said Sally Ride, founder of Sally Ride Science. "Fun is an essential factor for getting middle school kids, especially girls, to stick with their interests in science and math. We expect to have another very tight race this year based on the creative complex designs presented at our regional showcases and can't wait to play with the finished products."

"At Hasbro, our heart and soul goes into making all of our products, but a key element of a truly fun toy or game is the intricate design and engineering behind it," noted Karen Davis, vice president of community relations for Hasbro, Inc. "We are very excited that TOYchallenge is not only helping kids understand the mechanics of product development, but is also allowing them to have fun playing with their own creations."

"If we are to engineer a sustainable future, it's vitally important that we teach our young people about technology and design," said Domenico Grasso, professor of engineering and director of Smith College's Picker Engineering Program. "All students, and especially girls, need to develop skills, abilities and confidence in science and engineering. With TOYchallenge, we make that fun."

The showcase opens to the public at 10:00 a.m., with a welcome address, and concludes at 4:30 p.m. Sally Ride's keynote speech begins at 2:30 p.m. Attendees who register for TOYchallenge 2005 will receive an official TOYchallenge 2004 T-shirt. Admission to the showcase is free but pre-registration is strongly recommended. To pre-register call (800) 561-5161. Information is also available at http://www.TOYchallenge.com.

TOYchallenge 2004 National Showcase Schedule
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Team Check-in and Set-up for Showcase
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Showcase Opens - Welcome Remarks
10:15 - 1:00 p.m. Judges Tour Entries
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Scavenger Hunt through Museum
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Final Judging Session
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Sally Ride Keynote Address
3:45 - 4:30 p.m. Awards and Recognition Program
4:30 p.m. Showcase Closes

TOYchallenge

TOYchallenge(TM) was developed by Sally Ride, founder of Imaginary Lines, Inc. and the Sally Ride Science Club, Domenico Grasso, director of Smith College's Picker Engineering Program and Hasbro, Inc. as an outreach activity 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 9 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 U.S. students in grades five through eight, TOYchallenge focuses on catching girls' attention in these subjects in order to keep them in the engineering "pipeline." Hasbro and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society are sponsors of TOYchallenge 2004.

Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science(TM) was founded by astronaut Sally Ride to support the large numbers of girls and young women who are, or might become, interested in science, math and technology. The company organizes quality events, programs and activities for girls that empower them, engage them and encourage their interests. Current programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, Sally Ride Science Camps, TOYchallenge(TM), and the Sally Ride Science Club(TM) - a national Club created to keep middle school girls engaged in science adventures by connecting them to people, information and attitudes that will nurture their relationship with science. For more information on Sally Ride Science programs, please visit: http://www.SallyRideScience.com, or call (800) 561-5161.

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

Smith College is consistently ranked among the nation's foremost liberal arts colleges. Enrolling 2,800 students from every state and 60 other countries, Smith is the largest undergraduate women's college in the country. Smith's Picker Engineering Program, the first such program at a U.S. women's college, is focused on developing broadly educated engineers capable of assuming leadership roles in corporations, non-profit organizations and technology-related fields. The college's first engineering majors graduated in May.

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society (http://www.sigmaxi.org) is the international honor society of science and engineering. The Society is a diverse organization with more than 70,000 members in more than 500 chapters in North America and overseas. Sigma Xi publishes American Scientist magazine (http://www.americanscientist.org), sponsors a grant program for young researchers and organizes programs and services in the areas of research ethics, science and engineering education, the public understanding of science and technology and international research cooperation. The Society's administrative offices are located in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

San Diego Aerospace Museum

The San Diego Aerospace Museum celebrates the history of aviation and space flight, educates the public in aerospace technology, and inspires young people of all ages to excel in math and the sciences. The San Diego Aerospace Museum, a non-profit organization and the first aero theme museum to receive accreditation by the American Association of Museums in 1986, is located in the historic Ford Building in Balboa Park, 2001 Pan American Plaza. Summer hours Memorial Day through Labor Day 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. With admission until 5:00 p.m. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Museum Store is open during museum hours. $9 for Adults/$4 ages 6-17 years/$7 Seniors (65+)/$7 Students with valid ID/ Free Active Duty Military and children under 6/ $4 Simulator ride. Behind-the-scenes Restoration Tours are available for an additional $3 per person. (619) 234-8291. http://www.aerospacemuseum.org.