A Search For America’s Youngest Web Wizard (NAPSA)—For some kids at recess, the playground is not the main attraction: It’s the computer lab. Nationwide, elementary-aged students can be found using the Internet during their free time to play games, research homework assignments or read their favorite magazines. However, many of these techsavvy kids use the Internet for more than just fun and games; they participate in a hobby that is a career for many—Web design. These talented K-8th graders are designing unique and creative Web sites—on their own. Internet technology is second nature to them. They can write HTML as quickly as book reports. Their creative ideas for Web content are endless. And they are not even in high school yet. According to a poll commissioned by the International Technology Education Association, vir- tually all of the respondents (98 percent) agree that technology courses should be included in a student’s curriculum. Thusfar, the survey holds true, judging by the number of K-8th grade students whoare interested in Web design. “Technology is and will continue to be a huge part in our daily lives. It is very important to keep our students up to speed with relevant CALL FOR NOMINATIONS—Moveover Harry Potter. A nationwide search for young Web Wizardsis on. example, Hostway Corporation, a global Web-hosting provider— have gone beyond that and are recognizing tech-savvy students. Hostway recently issued a call for nominationsin its first “America’s Youngest Web Wizard” nationwide talent search. The event will help raise awareness of the importance of technology education among elementary and middle schools nationwide, by honor- ing the nation’s exemplary young Webdesigners. “We are eager to showcase the technological successes of these technological changes, which is why technology education is a bright and talented kids,” said John tary curriculum,” said Mary Megan manager of Hostway. “After all, major component in our elemenAnderson, a fourth and fifth-grade teacher at Ivy Hill Elementary in Arlington Heights, Ill. “Our school is lucky enough to be very technologically advanced. I have five com- puters in my classroom that my students haveaccessto.” Manytechnology companies have begun to offer products and services that are strictly geared towards elementary-aged children. Some organizations—for Lee, vice president and general they are the Web designers, technologists and CIOs of tomorrow.” To reward the young “Web Wizards” for their design skills, Hostway will present one elementary student (grade K-5) and one mid- dle school student (grade 6-8) with a Dell Inspiron 8600 laptop, and each winningsite will receive 12 monthsof free Web hosting. To learn more about this contest, visit www.hostway.com/webwizard.
