Arizona’s Marana Unified School District Supports Ongoing Digital Transition Through New Partnership With Discovery Education Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education240-662-5563, Stephen_Wakefield@discovery.com –New Digital Textbooks Support the Creation of Modern Science Learning Environments– Silver Spring, Md. (May 15, 2017) – Arizona’s Marana Unified School District (MUSD) today announced a new partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. Through this collaboration, MUSD science educators in grades 3-6 are empowered to support the district’s ongoing transition to dynamic digital classrooms with Discovery Education’s digital textbooks. MUSD’s educators seek to maximize student engagement in collaborative educational settings, utilize current resources, and cultivate a competitive edge for their students by integrating technology and digital content into the school curriculum. The district’s new relationship with Discovery Education provides MUSD’s science educators additional resources with which they will continue these efforts as they support the transition to digital teaching and learning, build a culture of STEM, and create 1:1 learning environments. Through this new partnership, educators across the school system are integrating the Science Techbook™ digital textbook series into classroom instruction. Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks were developed by a dedicated team of expert science educators with the input of teachers and administrators from around the nation. The Techbook’s rich, standards-aligned content includes video, audio, text and interactives with hands-on activities, as well as virtual labs that help classroom teachers differentiate instruction and create rich and engaging learning experiences for all students. Techbooks are also a substantially less expensive option per student at nearly half the cost of a traditional textbook, with additional savings derived from a lack of textbook replacement or inventory costs. The Science Techbook also includes valuable STEM resources. STEM Project Starters encourage students to connect math, technology, and engineering to their understanding of science concepts to produce creative solutions to real world problems. In addition, the STEM In Action resources helps students connect their work to STEM careers, which promotes a clearer understanding of how skills used in school can be applied to jobs “in the real world.” Embedded formative assessment opportunities that help educators monitor student progress are included in each Techbook, and like all Discovery Education digital textbooks, the Science Techbooks work on any device and can be implemented in any instructional setting. Embracing a philosophy of three-dimensional learning, Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks help educators integrate digital resources into their classroom practice. The Model Lessons within the Science Techbooks reflect the interconnectedness of the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) and Cross-Cutting Concepts (CCC) and illustrate what these mean in practice for educators. “Marana USD’s talented educators are committed to the personal success of each student,” said Doug Wilson, Superintendent of Marana Unified School District. “Our new partnership with Discovery Education supports the district’s continued digital transition, positions educators to better personalize our learning initiatives, and helps us achieve our goal of inspiring students to learn today and lead tomorrow.” Additionally, the Discovery Education Community will support MUSD’s educators’ efforts to transform students’ learning experiences with digital media. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration. “Discovery Education is proud to support Marana USD’s efforts to maximize student engagement,” said Sarah Scott, Director of Educational Partnerships at Discovery Education. “Together, we are creating immersive digital learning experiences that ignite students’ interest in science while nurturing the skills needed for success beyond graduation.” For more information about the Discovery Education Techbook series, Discovery Education’s supplemental content services, or other products or services from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com. About Discovery EducationDiscovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase 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.