How much do kindergartners know about computers? A lot more than you might think. And this spring, they'll have the chance to prove it.

Hampton Roads students from kindergarten through the 12th grade will have the opportunity to prove just how much they know about computers by participating in the 16th Annual Great Computer Challenge at Old Dominion.

Co-sponsored by Old Dominion, WHRO and the Consortium for Interactive Instruction (CII), the competition challenges students to demonstrate their skills in various computer applications and programming by solving problems they might face in the "real world." The Computer Challenge has two different divisions: a Senior Division for grades 6-12 (to be held March 24), and a Junior Division for grades K-5 (to be held May 19).

In the Senior Division competition, students will compete in the following categories: Desktop Presentations, Desktop Publishing, Graphic Arts, Music, Web Design, Integrated Applications, Visual Basic Programming, C++ Programming and Computer Assisted Design (CAD), a category new to this year's competition. Students in grades 6-8 will compete in the same categories, with the exception of C++ programming and CAD.

For the Junior Division competition, students in grades 3-5 will compete in four categories: Desktop Publishing, Desktop Presentations, Graphic Arts and the Internet Scavenger Hunt. Students in kindergarten, first and second grades will compete in Desktop Publishing and Graphic Arts.

Old Dominion faculty and staff, as well as local business leaders, will judge the competition, which will be held in Webb Center. First, second and third place, as well as honorable mention, will be recognized in each category. Students in kindergarten, first and second grades will be awarded superior, excellent or good ratings.

Up to five students from grades 9-12 and up to three students from grades K-8 may participate in teams for this year's challenge. Schools may enter one team in each category. Each team must provide its own computer, software and printer for the competition.