Skip to main content
KEY WORDS:  Internet, Access, Community, Service, Odyssey of the Mind, NASA, Microsoft, McHenry County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OWC.net Joins NASA, Microsoft to Challenge Young Minds In Problem-Solving Contest

WOODSTOCK, IL (May 23, 2006) – Woodstock-based OWC.net, the premier Internet Service Provider (ISP) of Illinois including McHenry County, announced today that it will be a Platinum Sponsor for McHenry County schoolchildren in McHenry School District 15 who are participating in the 27th Annual Odyssey of the Mind creating problem-solving program sponsored by NASA and Microsoft.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college age. Students tackle challenges ranging from building mechanical devices to interpreting literary classics as they advance through local and state levels to the World Finals. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program

Along the way, students also learn cooperation and respect for the ideas of others and how to evaluate ideas and make decisions on their own, as well as gaining greater self-confidence and increased self-esteem. 

“As a technology leader in McHenry County, OWC.net believes in the importance of supporting innovative educational programs that encourage students to think outside the box,” said Larry O’Connor, CEO of OWC.net.  “We are proud to partner with NASA in helping young people become creative and independent thinkers. Helping cultivate the best young minds of the future is truly a win-win opportunity.”

Six McHenry School District 15 teams, four from Valley View Elementary School and two from Parkland Middle School, have advanced to the World Finals competition, being held at the University of Iowa in Ames, Iowa, from May 24 to 27. The seven-member teams choose topics in three areas:  ‘The Great Parade” “Ancient Egypt” and “The Jungle Bloke.”

OWC.net provides high quality, cost-efficient Internet service and is considered the premier Internet provider for Woodstock and McHenry County residents and businesses.Parent company Other World Computing is McHenry County’s leading technology employer as ranked by McHenry County Business journal. 

About OWC.net
OWC.net is the premier Internet Service Provider of Illinois, providing nationwide Dial Up Internet access and local DSL connections at less than half the cost of other nationwide providers.  The company offers a full range of web hosting and professional design services and is backed by a comprehensive toll-free access technical support team.  OWC.net is based out of Woodstock, IL and is a subsidiary of Other World Computing, the area’s leading technology employer as ranked by McHenry County Business Journal.

About Other World Computing
Other World Computing (OWC) has been providing quality hardware products and support to the computer universe since 1988. The Illinois-based company had revenues exceeding $35 million USD in 2005. OWC operates the popular www.macsales.com e-commerce portal which features one of the largest online catalogs of computer and iPod enhancement products including Mercury, Neptune, and NewerTech acceleration and FireWire product lines. OWC is a Premiere Level Apple Developer Connection member and provides extensive technical support for Macintosh users around the world. The company management umbrella includes leading Internet Service Providers FasterMac.net and OWC.net, and is the area’s leading technology employer as ranked by McHenry County Business Journal. Company Contact:
Bill Herring
512-412-4009
bherring@macsales.com
Agency Contact:
Andy Marken
408-986-0100
andy@markencom.com