FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 05.15.13
Christina Scripps, Discovery Education
TAKING STUDENTS BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE CLASSROOM - DISCOVERY EDUCATION BRINGS THE WONDER OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S “NORTH AMERICA” SERIES FROM THE TELEVISION SCREEN TO STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
– Teachers and Students Across the Country Have Exclusive Opportunity to Participate in Virtual Field Trips to the Continent`s Most Awe-inspiring Destinations –
SILVER SPRING, MD - Discovery Education, the global leader in standards-based digital content for grades K-12 and a division of Discovery Communications, will release an extensive set of interactive educational materials in conjunction with the highly anticipated premiere of Discovery`s seven-part series North America.
North America, narrated by Tom Selleck, will reveal the intimate stories of animals struggling to survive in unforgiving weather and rugged terrain across the continent. Using content and concepts from this epic series, Discovery Education will provide teachers and students across the country with customized educational experiences that transport them beyond the classroom walls and into a journey exploring the majesty of our awe-inspiring continent.
“Discovery Education is committed to delivering unique educational experiences that excite teachers and engage students,” said Bill Goodwyn, Discovery Education`s CEO. “Through the power of our digital textbook and interactive content offerings, we are excited to be able to provide schools around the world access to the awe-inspiring series North America coupled with customized curriculum that brings the continent’s unique geography, diverse animal species, and fascinating ecosystems to life.”
Discovery Education will host a series of virtual field trips that will take students and teachers on a trek through North America`s amazing sights, where they can discover the magic of learning via groundbreaking video, behind-the-scenes access and interactions with the producer of North America. More than 160,000 students participated from across the country in the first of the three-part virtual field trip series which featured education and animal care staff from the Smithsonian`s National Zoo in Washington D.C. The next virtual field trip will occur this Friday, May 17 and will give educators and students a behind-the-scenes look at the making of North America as the producers and field crew of the series show how they made it come to life.
In addition, Discovery Education will also distribute North America school kits to grade 3-5 teachers throughout the nation. Reaching more than 180,000 students across the country, the kits will provide teachers with a screener of the first episode “Born to be Wild,” a lesson plan that corresponds with the episode and a take-home family engagement guide for each student featuring a poster, trekking map and animal trading cards. Free instructional resources and family discussion guides will provide interactive opportunities for both teachers and parents.
“This is great example of our partnership with Discovery Education and our shared commitment to bring innovative learning opportunities to students,” said MaryEllen Elia, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS). “This is the sort of educational experience that engages students and inspires their imaginations.”
The North America series of content, along with the virtual field trips and North America curriculum, will also be available to teachers and students throughout the year via Discovery Education`s award-winning social studies and science digital Techbook offerings, and in Discovery Education Streaming, Discovery`s online digital content service.
For more information on Discovery Education`s North America resources, please visit discoveryeducation.com/northamerica. For more information on Discovery Channel`s epic seven-part series North America, visit http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/north-america.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.