One of the most innovative and heavily trafficked educational resources on the Web, the ThinkQuest library of entries (www.thinkquest.org) includes the 1998 ThinkQuest Best of Contest winner, The Soundry. Designed by three high school students from Virginia and Alaska, the site provides a multimedia look at the physics of sound and how our ear perceives it. The Soundry (www.thinkquest.org/library/19537.html) is an ideal example of how children are taking advantage of the collaborative power of the Internet and are providing educational resources for students across the globe.

"ThinkQuest’s Web sites showcase the work of some of the most talented young Web designers in the nation, and their safe, interactive and educational content is an ideal addition to MSNBC’s Learning Online Site," said Allan Weis, president and CEO of Advanced Network & Services. "With subject matter ranging from interplanetary satellites to snowboarding, the ThinkQuest library of sites provides Web wanderers of all ages with an array of information that is both enlightening and entertaining."

"By linking to ThinkQuest’s wealth of educational sites we are able to bring to our site visitors some of the most renowned educational resources on the Internet," remarked Jim Kinsella, president of MSNBC.COM. "We are excited to be working with an organization that is helping students use the Internet to bring their knowledge and creativity to peers across the globe."

The ThinkQuest Internet Challenge is an international program for students, aged 12 through 19, that encourages the use of the Internet to create information-rich Web-based educational tools and materials. Students form teams with colleagues from around the world and are mentored by teachers or other adult coaches. Competing for scholarships and awards totaling more than $1 million, student participants learn collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking that help raise their level of education and technological skills.

A ThinkQuest team consists of two to three student members and one or two coaches, usually teachers. All student members make significant contributions to the success of the team, while coaches assist in team formation and provide guidance, encouragement, and help in establishing relationships with local industry or government in support of their efforts. Students wishing to participate in the 2000 contest should check the ThinkQuest website for updates at http://www.thinkquest.org.

About MSNBC

MSNBC on the Internet (www.msnbc.com) is the 1999 leader in Internet news, according to Media Metrix, the PC Meter Company. MSNBC on the Internet delivers news and information that is most relevant and timely. The site delivers the best of NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC -- plus original, up-to-the-minute, extensive coverage in an engaging and useful style. The MSNBC Front Page using Zip Personalization features breaking stories, top headlines, stock quotes, weather, sports scores and local news. MSNBC's Cool Tools delivers the news that is most relevant and timely. Choose Your News delivers customized news on a personalized front page. Today's Headlines delivers the top headlines of the day by email at preferred delivery times. News Alert provides instant desktop notification of breaking news on customized topics.

MSNBC is a partnership between NBC (NYSE: GE - news) a leading provider of news and information, and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT - news), the leader in personal computer software and a major provider of Internet online services. Built on the worldwide resources of NBC News, MSNBC is a 24-hour cable news network and an Internet news service.

About Advanced Network & Services and ThinkQuest

Ben Billingsley
Trylon Communications
212-725-2295
benb@tryloncommunications.com
MSNBC.com