VariQuest® Selected to Participate in 21st Century Classroom Exhibit

National Middle School Association’s Annual Conference features classroom loaded with the latest technology to create a 21st century learning environment

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — The National Middle School Association (NMSA) is featuring a 21^st Century Classroom during its 36^th annual conference November 5-7 in Indianapolis. Varitronics® is thrilled to announce that its VariQuest Visual Learning Tools are a part of this noteworthy exhibit for the second year in a row. NMSA has teamed up with several companies, including Varitronics, with the goal of producing the most technologically advanced classroom possible.

The 2009 NMSA Conference offers helpful tools and encouragement to provide a relevant, high-quality education for young adolescents. It is attended by educators of all kinds including teachers, principals, athletic directors and media specialists. The 21^st Century Classroom exhibit is a recent addition, and is already a favorite for many attendees.

For part of the conference, the classroom will be staffed by teachers, giving students from local school districts the opportunity to experiment with VariQuest and other innovative classroom technologies in the education market, and conference attendees a glimpse of how these products impact student achievement. Participating in this program is Carmel Clay Schools’ Clay Middle School and Indianapolis Public Schools’ School 91.

“There is a vast range of technologies that contribute to 21^st century learning, and with VariQuest, students and teachers can explore the unique ways they can improve achievement and engagement by bringing their lessons and activities to life in the classroom,” said Richard Garrity, director of sales and marketing at Varitronics. “The exhibit that NMSA has put together is a great way to showcase the most innovative technologies in the market today, and we are honored that VariQuest is a part of it.”

The assembly of the classroom is not taken lightly; NMSA sought the services of the Skillman Corporation to manage the site’s construction as well as the Fanning Howey Firm to handle the classroom’s design. For more information regarding the conference and exhibit, including drawings and videos, visit www.nmsa.org.

VariQuest Visual Learning Tools are designed to have a long-lasting impact on student achievement, student engagement and professional development in schools. For more information, visit www.variquest.com.

Varitronics and VariQuest are registered trademarks of Varitronics, A Brady Business.

About Varitronics

Varitronics, A Brady Business, provides education technology products and solutions that help improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness. Varitronics' customer base includes more than 28,000 early childhood centers, elementary schools, secondary schools, and post-secondary institutions throughout North America. Schools utilize Varitronics' latest product suite, the VariQuest Visual Learning Tools, to create a visually stimulating learning environment that helps to reinforce student engagement and retention, enhance professional development programs and support creative fundraising efforts.

The interactive VariQuest suite includes the Cutout Maker, Poster Maker, Awards Maker and Design Center, and is powered by proprietary VariQuest Software featuring thousands of curriculum-aligned templates and graphics designed specifically for schools. Together, VariQuest Visual Learning Tools allow students, staff and administrators the ability to quickly and easily create customized posters, banners, award plaques, stickers, manipulatives and cutouts that help bring their lessons, activities and key messages to life.

Varitronics was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Varitronics was acquired by Brady Corporation in 1996. As part of its commitment to give back to schools, Brady has honored more than 2,000 students with college scholarships totaling over $600,000 since 1990. For more information about Varitronics or VariQuest, visit www.variquest.com.