Centurum, the National Science Center, and AFCEA Invest in America's Youth and Groom ''Future Tech Gurus''.

WASHINGTON -- Interactive Educational Activities Designed to Stimulate Interest of Local Students in Technology, Bridge the Digital Divide, and Uphold America's Legacy for Leading Innovation

Centurum, a provider of mission-critical technology solutions to the federal government, today announced that in coordination with National Science Center (NSC) and Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the company is bringing several Washington, D.C. Metro area middle schools to TechNet International 2005 in an effort to stimulate the students' interest in technology. The series of activities designed to excite students about the world of career opportunities in math and science, is part of an ongoing effort to groom the next generation of technology leaders and keep the United States on the leading edge of innovation in an increasingly competitive global environment.

The students will have the opportunity to attend a speech given by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, engage with high-ranking military officials, and participate in hands-on demonstrations presented by the Mobile Discovery Center, the U.S. Army and NSC's 18-wheeler truck that travels around the country and serves as an interactive technology showcase. Students will also obtain valuable scholarship information and explore college opportunities, as well as meet with industry leaders to learn about career paths in technology fields. More than 50 local students from Kelly Miller, Kenmore, Gunston, and Swanson middle schools, as well as W.T. Woodson High School, will be participating in the day's events at TechNet International 2005, which is being held at the Washington Convention Center. Additionally, PCS Edventures!, in collaboration with Centurum, is donating a one-year subscription to its Internet-based curriculum to each middle school. PCS Edventures! is a single-source engineering and science-based enrichment curriculum for children to learn exciting subjects ranging from art to engineering through hands-on activities and guided, online support. PCS Edventures! will also be donating Atmospheric Pressure Kits to the students.

"Our students and I are excited to be able to stretch the walls of the classroom into the real world. The experience and knowledge that they will be able to develop through these activities will help stress the importance of science, math, and technology while bridging what they've learned in the classroom to real-world applications," said Michael Goodman, Instructional Technology Coordinator for Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, Virginia. "It is wonderful for our nation's future technology leaders to be afforded opportunities such as this at an early age. In our nation's Capitol, community leaders such as Centurum, NSC and AFCEA are stepping up to make this possible."

Key events planned for the students include:

--Keynote speech by Rudolph Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City - Students will join other conference attendees, including military, government and industry officials for Mr. Giuliani's plenary session at TechNet International 2005.

--Mobile Discovery Center "Science on Wheels: Education Outreach to the Nation" - Designed by the NSC and staffed by U.S. Army soldiers, the mobile center will present programs to show students that studying science and math is fun and essential to their future. The program is a combination of High Definition and Artificial Intelligence shows and hands-on, interactive science demonstrations.

--Centurum Tech Trivia 2005 - Students will be able to demonstrate their technology IQ and win prizes, individually and collectively for their schools, as they compete in a trivia contest, which will be held at the Centurum booth number 116. The trivia questions coincide with the standards of learning (SOLs) for science and technology for their age group. This contest is meant to reinforce the "No Child Left Behind" mission of the Department of Education.

--Centurum Management Q&A - Centurum's senior management team, including retired military officers and technology leaders, will meet with the students in small groups to provide unique perspectives to their potential career paths in technology.

--AFCEA Educational Foundation College Scholarship Information Session - AFCEA representatives will discuss an array of college scholarship opportunities available to students as they explore ways to support their education beyond high school at the AFCEA booth number 1045.

--W.T. Woodson High School Mentor Program - Middle school students will be matched up with a W.T. Woodson High School student in a two-year peer mentoring program where they will receive academic tutoring and college/career counseling to help them realize their potential.

--TechNet International Exhibit Tour - Students will be able to tour and visit with the hundreds of leading companies and government agencies showcasing and demonstrating the latest technology breakthroughs.

"We at Centurum believe that children should have the opportunity to explore every available intellectual pursuit. As a technology-based company, we understand how that technology directly impacts our society and the world at large. It is important and empowering, then, for our youngsters to actually see technology at work," said Robert M. Matteucci, Chairman and CEO of Centurum. "This is a great opportunity for students in our community to better appreciate the value of their math and science studies as the foundation for advanced technology in a real-world setting. We are confident that this will be an invaluable experience that will leave a long-lasting impression with the students."

TechNet International is one of the nation's largest Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) conventions and expositions, attracting military, government and industry officials. More information on this convention can be found at www.technet2005.org.

About Centurum

Centurum, formerly three affiliated companies, TDS, Klein & Stump, and TECHPLAN, has been a trusted Federal IT contractor supporting mission-critical technologies for more than 35 years. The company provides Network Engineering, Systems Integration, Business Process Management, Systems Engineering and Design, Information Operations and Analysis, and Operational Support for the U.S. Department of Defense and Federal Government. For more information, go to www.centurum.com.

About NSC

The National Science Center (NSC) is a one-of-a-kind visionary educational program to improve science, mathematics, and technology capabilities of America's youth. Established by Congress, the NSC is a unique partnership between the U.S. Army, a non-profit organization (National Science Center, Inc.) and industry/private citizens. For more information, please visit www.nationalsciencecenter.org.

About AFCEA

AFCEA International is the premier nonprofit association representing military, government and industry professionals in communications, electronics, intelligence, homeland security and information technology. AFCEA provides a multi-faceted professional development forum, including courses, conferences, SIGNAL Magazine and networking opportunities. For more information, please visit www.afcea.org.