DENVER, Colorada USA — Mark your calendars, prepare for liftoff, and let your imaginations reach the stars on August 12, 2006. The Rocketry EGGsploration Challenge (TREC) is a science and imagination based competition encouraging our youth to embrace space science and creativity.

Brad Jackson, winner of the 2005 TREC event, prepares his rocket for launch. Provided by: Mike Waid

In association with the Colorado Rocketry Association of Space Hobbyists (http://www.crashonline.org/), TREC's goal is to provide a venue for creative education through fun and exciting space science themed events. This year's event will be held just south of Stroh Ranch in Parker.

This is the second annual installment of the competition which includes The Rocket EGG Launch, The Rover EGG push and The Family EGG Toss. The three events were designed to allow local youth to think in ways they normally wouldn't and have a great time doing it. With over $1,000 in college money and prizes up for grabs, there will be lots of fun and great competition at this year's event.

The Rocket Egg Launch competition will challenge participants to design, build and launch a model rocket capable of carrying an egg over 100 feet and return it safely to Earth. Two age groups will be participating (5-13 years & 14-19 years). Winning entries will be those whose rockets land closest to the designated landing pad without breaking the egg cargo. The grand prize in each age category will be a 529 college savings account with an initial deposit into that account.

Another fun event is the Rover Egg Push, which will entice participants to push an egg around an obstacle course on a simulated alien world. This challenging event will allow the participants to problem solve a very difficult task while having loads of fun.

The third event is the Egg Toss Competition, which is best described as family fun. Pairing off into groups, our participants will take the traditional "egg toss" to new levels of fun and excitement. By seeing who can keep their egg intact the longest, this event will surely be a fun family challenge.

TREC is a challenge event of the Space EGGsploration Foundation (http://www.eggsploration.org/), a Colorado Non-profit Corporation that promotes space science education to youth. This year's event is being presented by the Town of Parker and many other local sponsors. To download an entry kit or for more information, visit http://www.rocketrychallenge.com/.