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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 01.04.11

Contacts:
Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
240-662-2893
stephen_wakefield@discovery.com

Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates
608-839-9800
emily@cblohm.com


Science is at the Center of Free, Virtual Discovery Education Professional Development Event this Month

--Discovery Educator Network SCIcon 2011 will help transform science instruction through digital content--

--Keynote Session by Reed Timmer, meteorologist and extreme weather enthusiast from Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers , to kick-off event--

Silver Spring, Md. (Jan. 4, 2011) – On Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST, Discovery Education ’s Discovery Educator Network will present SCIcon 2011, a free, virtual professional development opportunity focusing on showing educators and administrators how to incorporate digital content and the latest educational technologies into science instruction. During this interactive event, attendees will learn the latest practices and techniques they can apply immediately to their science lessons to help improve student performance.

The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) is the largest professional learning community of its kind. Through the DEN, educators have access to a wide range of technology training, as well as a resource library of teacher-generated projects and tools.

SCIcon 2011 features a special keynote session from Reed Timmer, meteorologist and extreme weather enthusiast from Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers . Entitled, “Into the Storm: Following the Love of Science,” Timmer’s presentation will focus on how educators can inspire a passion for science and the natural world among today’s students .

Following Timmer’s presentation, Discovery Education experts will offer a series of information-packed sessions on a variety of topics, including teaching through an inquiry-based approach, and combining digital resources with hands-on activities. In addition, Cindy Moss, Ph.D, Director of PreK-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and others will offer lessons learned from their implementations of Discovery Education Science.

“Improving student achievement in the sciences is a priority in my district,” said Bobbi Kocher, Technology Resource Specialist and STAR Discovery Educator, Osceola District Schools. “ SCIcon 2011 offers my colleagues and I a great opportunity to learn the latest strategies and tactics for using digital content and educational technologies to improve engagement in science lessons.

SCIcon 2011 will also feature a number of in-person trainings hosted by Discovery Educator Network Leadership Councils across the country. Those attending in-person gatherings will participate in online presentations, as well as breakout sessions presented by local STAR Discovery Educators. STAR Discovery Educators are DEN members recognized for their efforts in sharing their insight and expertise with peers through activities such as trainings, workshops or presentations.

Educators and administrators interested in learning more or registering for SCIcon 2011 can visit http://links.discoveryeducation.com/scicon . SCIcon 2011 sessions are expected to fill to capacity, so participants are encouraged to register for this event today .

“Fostering student achievement in science has long been a core objective of Discovery Education,” said Scott Kinney, Senior Vice President of Global Professional Development. “Through this unique professional development event, Discovery Education will demonstrate how teachers can create unique digital environments that put students at the center of science education.”

Discovery Education is the leading provider of high-quality curriculum based digital content and professional development resources whose services are available in more than half of U.S. schools. Among the company’s many services and resources dedicated to improving student academic achievement in all fields of science are:

  • Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks for Oregon , Indiana and Louisiana , the digital core instructional resource for elementary and middle school science instruction adopted through the state textbook adoption process;
  • Discovery Education Science , the award-winning digital supplemental service designed to deepen student understanding of science through standards-based virtual labs, simulations, reading passages, and more;
  • STEM Connect , the curriculum-based and career development science resource module within Discovery Education streaming designed to fuel teacher and classroom engagement by helping students link science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to the real world;
  • Free online resources such as the Lesson Plan Library, an interactive Puzzlemaker, New Teacher Survival Central, and:

  • The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge , a national competition that encourages K-12 students to become environmental “agents of change” in their communities;
  • The Siemens STEM Academy , which supports educators in their efforts to foster student achievement in STEM subjects, and includes the first online, shared repository of STEM best teaching practices, a National Teacher Academy bringing together science educators from across the country, and an ongoing webinar series featuring leading scientists and experts in their fields;
  • The Science of Everyday Life , the powerful year-round online destination, providing teachers, parents and students with a fun and interactive platform to explore the surprising and important role that science plays in our daily lives; and
  • The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge , the premier national science competition for students in grades five through eight. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science and innovation among America’s youth and to promote the importance of science education.

    • For more information about Discovery Education and the DEN, visit www.discoveryeducation.com .

    About Discovery Education
    Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com .

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