To encourage students to set and achieve challenging goals tailored to individual aspirations, talents, and abilities, the Hillsboro School District and Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), the world leader in semiconductor design software, will host a district science fair for elementary and middle school students on Thursday, February 19, 2004, at Liberty High School, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Hundreds of Hillsboro's K-8 students from 16 schools will be at the event showcasing their knowledge and enthusiasm for science with 350 exciting projects. As a leading technology company with offices in Hillsboro, Synopsys and the Synopsys Foundation are supporting the science fair and related activities with a $17,000 grant to the Hillsboro School District to enhance local science education in the community.

"At Synopsys, we continually encourage our employees to actively participate and be leaders in the communities where we live and work," said Vicki Andrews, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales at Synopsys. "By partnering with the Hillsboro School District on programs such as the Hillsboro science fair, Synopsys hopes to make a lasting and measurable difference in the fields we know best -- science and technology -- and to further student achievement at all levels."

More than 3,430 science projects have been completed, showcased, and judged in the Hillsboro School District in recent weeks. The activity, also funded through support from the Synopsys Outreach Foundation, provided the focus for elementary and middle school students in 27 of the District's schools to select a project, research it, prepare a display, and explain the merits of their work.

"The enthusiasm for this entire project is unmatched," said Brown Middle School science teacher Jeanie Kerner. "The day the showcase boards were distributed, students and parents were all talking about the science projects."

Each school has held a local science fair to showcase student achievement and to whittle the number of contestants to 350 who will then compete at the district science fair on Thursday, February 19, 2004 at Liberty High School, the new state-of-the-art, $46.5 million building and surrounding facilities.

"Synopsys has contributed to help support math camp for struggling students and continually looks for ways to be a corporate partner," said curriculum director Linda Coble. "The donations we receive from Synopsys are generous and provide support for an excellent project which might otherwise not be funded."

  Details:
   Setup and Participant Registration:     5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
   Judges' Orientation                     5:15 to 6:00 p.m.
   Judging                                 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
   Public Viewing and Awards               7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

  About Hillsboro School District

The Hillsboro School District is the fourth largest district in the state of Oregon with almost 19,000 students enrolled in 32 elementary, middle and high schools. The mission of the Hillsboro School District, a partner with family and community, is to ensure each student develops the capability to succeed and contribute within a global society by engaging the learner in varied experiences and a challenging, innovative, personalized academic program. For more information, please visit www.hsd.k12.or.us.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is the world leader in electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading IC design and verification platforms to the global electronics market, enabling the development of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California and has offices in more than 60 locations throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/ .

SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.

CONTACT: media, Erin Brennock of Synopsys, +1-650-584-1687, or
erinb@synopsys.com; or Betsy Biller of Hillsboro School District,
+1-503-844-1500, or BillerB@hsd.k12.or.us

Web site: http://www.hsd.k12.or.us/

Web site: http://www.synopsys.com/