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Arizona’s Pendergast Elementary School District Expands Partnership with Leading EdTech Company to Enhance Science Education in Grades K-5

Charlotte, NC (Thursday, November 30, 2023)—K-5 educators across Arizona’s Pendergast Elementary School District (PESD92) are enhancing science instruction thanks to a new collaboration with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. In this latest phase of PESD92’s multiyear partnership with Discovery Education, students and teachers in K-5 classrooms districtwide now have access to the company’s award-winning Mystery Science product. With these new digital resources, educators are empowered to ignite student curiosity and more deeply engage young learners in science instruction as they explore the natural world.  

In 1885, the district was established in a Central Arizona farming community to serve 100 students in one school building. Today, PESD92 covers 20 square miles and serves the communities of Phoenix, Glendale, and Avondale, providing excellent educational opportunities for approximately 8,300 preschool through eighth grade students on 12 campuses. 

PESD92 is a high-performing, collaborative community preparing students to compete in a globally connected society. To support that mission, the district sought engaging digital resources that would empower students to explore, problem-solve, design, and innovate in a safe, caring environment. Following an extensive evaluation of viable solutions, PESD92 selected Discovery Education’s Mystery Science for use in the district’s K-5 classrooms. 

Mystery Science, a winner of SIIA’s Best Science Instructional Solution CODiE award for Grades PK-8, provides K-5 educators simple-to-use, open-and-go, hands-on lessons that inspire students to love science. Each lesson begins by posing a question commonly asked by young students. Students then explore these questions through interactive videos featuring real-world visuals fostering a sense of wonder and actively supporting student engagement in the accompanying discussion prompts. Mystery Science simplifies prep for teachers, making the integration of this resource into classroom instruction simple. Plus, all K-5 science lessons are now available in Spanish, with accompanying videos featuring authentic Spanish narration and Spanish text-on-screen for discussion questions, vocabulary words, and step-by-step instructions. Editable, ready-to-use worksheets and assessments are also available in both English and Spanish. 

Mystery Science joins a suite of innovative Discovery Education services already in use across the district. Among the Discovery Education resources used by PESD92 teachers and students is Discovery Education Experience, a curated collection of high-quality, grade-level appropriate, digital content aligned to Arizona’s rigorous K-12 Academic Standards that is made available to public schools statewide by Arizona’s Department of Education.   

In addition, PESD92 educators also use Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook to create engaging learning experiences focused on the Social Studies. A standards-aligned, core-curricular resource, Social Studies Techbook uses an inquiry-based approach to enhance literacy and critical thinking skills, allowing students to approach topics in the Social Studies through the 5Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate. 

Finally, PESD92 uses DreamBox Math by Discovery Education to foster the conceptual understanding, self-assurance, and motivation students need to develop a deep understanding of complex mathematical ideas. A web-based program for students in grades K-8, Dreambox Math adapts and differentiates in real-time based on students’ answers and problem-solving methods.  

“We are excited to deepen our collaboration with Discovery Education to enhance science instruction in our K-5 classrooms,” said Dr. Catherine Linddhardt, PESD92’s STEAM and Technology Integration Specialist. “Discovery Education’s classroom-tested resources will increase our teachers’ ability to ignite younger students’ curiosity and drive deeper engagement in instruction.” 

All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resource have access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. 

“Discovery Education is proud to expand our partnership with the Pendergast Elementary School District,” said Alex Porpora, Discovery Education’s District Partnership Manager. “The team at PESD92 has laid out a truly innovative vision for the thoughtful integration of edtech into instruction, and we are pleased to support their efforts to bring this vision to life.” 

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook 

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education
Phone: 202-316-6615
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release

Spanish and English Versions of Science Techbook for Texas by Discovery Education Now Available for Use In K-8 and Biology Classrooms Statewide

Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)Discovery Education, the worldwide edtech leader, today announced that the Spanish and English versions of Science Techbook for Texas by Discovery Education for K-8 and Biology students is now available for use in classrooms statewide. This dynamic core instructional curriculum was created from the ground up expressly for Texas educators and students. Science Techbook for Texas has been found to be 100% aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the English Language Proficiency Standards at every grade level by the relevant state review panels and has earned a 100% score from the Texas Resource Review for its K-5 and Biology editions.  

Science Techbook for Texas empowers Texas school systems to easily integrate an innovative, updateable, digital-print-kit blended curriculum into instruction to create unique, student-centered learning experiences. Included in this comprehensive core curriculum are engaging digital resources, print student and teacher editions, hands-on activity kits, and virtual investigations. In addition, an embedded professional learning component within Science Techbook for Texas helps teachers quickly and easily integrate this resource into classroom instruction, ensuring school leaders see maximum return on their technology investment. 

The Science Techbook for Texas curriculum includes ready-to-use, phenomena-driven lessons that motivate students with powerful technology toolssuch as toggle-on authentic Spanish translationthat personalize the student experience, and time-saving teacher tools that streamline preparation and grading. Available in both print and digital formats, Science Techbook for Texas provides a seamless classroom experience complete with immersive, interactive ways to explore scientific phenomena, including hands-on engineering activities, labs, and STEM connections.  

Through its digital, print, and blended options, Science Techbook for Texas delivers a wide range of high-quality resources that support students as they discover how science is practiced in the real world, while focusing on deeper understanding and the application of grade-appropriate science content. Recently, Discovery Education’s Science Techbook was certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based ESSA Tier III standards as set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  

Multiple studies show that regular use of Science Techbook in the classroom has many positive academic results for educators and students across a variety of districts and populations in the United States. For example, in an independent study with Arizona’s Sahuarita Unified School District, a third party evaluated Discovery Education’s impact and found that use of Science Techbook resulted in increased science, math, and reading proficiency in grades 3-8. In the second study, a correlation was found between frequency and depth of use of Science Techbook and student achievement in science in grades 6 and 7. This research and more can be found here. 

All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. 

“Discovery Education is proud to offer Science Techbook for Texas to school systems across the state,” said Kevin Quinlan, Discovery Education’s Regional Vice President of Educational Partnerships in Texas. “This exciting new core curricular resource, created expressly for Texas educators and students, offered in authentic Spanish and English, and 100% aligned to the TEKS and ELPS, creates exciting learning environments that connect the classroom to the outside world. We look forward to working together with school systems statewide to bring this innovative and engaging core curriculum to students.” 

Learn more about Science Techbook for Texas by Discovery Education here. For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook 

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education
Phone: 202-316-6615
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release

Discovery Education’s Sandbox AR Honored with Global Educational Supplies and Solutions Award

Charlotte, NC (Monday, November 6, 2023)—During the recent 16th edition of Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai, Discovery Education’s Sandbox AR App was named Best XR/VR/AI Product as part of the GESS Education Awards. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.   

GESS Dubai provides educators access to the products and solutions that meet the needs of the modern classroom and transform the way students learn. Alongside the exhibition and conference is the GESS Education Awards program, which rewards outstanding educational products, services, and people, as well as the best educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession. The GESS Education Awards aim to encourage the raising of educational service and product standards throughout the industry and is an accolade of excellence.  

Sandbox AR is an augmented reality “maker” app that allows students and teachers to create, share, and even inhabit virtual environments. By placing a stage on a flat surface and adding models to create a sandbox, students create a virtual world they can experience and share. 

Sandbox AR includes: 

  • Hundreds of models to add to a sandbox that cover history, the built world, science, and nature, and more 
  • A life size mode so students can scale up their sandbox and walk into their virtual world 
  • Pre-built sandboxes exploring diverse subjects such as ancient Egypt, space exploration, road construction, and more  
  • Free, pre-built lessons educators can use to guide AR integration into classroom instruction 

Sandbox AR is available for download here. To learn more about Discovery Education’s entire suite of AR/VR resources, visit the company’s immersive learning website here. 

“Discovery Education is grateful to the judges of the GESS Education Awards for this honor,” said Pete Weir, Discovery Education’s Chief Product Officer. “We believe immersive learning experiences, like those created by Sandbox AR, can play a significant role in connecting what’s taught in the classroom to the world beyond. This recognition serves as validation of our approach to augmented and virtual reality and will encourage our talented team to continue to create innovative resources that can easily be integrated into classroom instruction.” 

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook 

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education
Phone: 202-316-6615
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release

Discovery Education Offers New Resources for National STEM Day

Charlotte, NC. (Thursday, November 2, 2023) — Discovery Education presents a curated collection of engaging, high-quality digital learning resources to students and teachers for National STEM Day. Held annually on November 8th, National STEM Day unites communities in celebrating the importance of teaching science, technology, engineering, and math to students in grades K-12. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.  

Discovery Education offers hundreds of no-cost resources tailored to STEM teaching and learning that ignite student curiosity. Among the resources created in collaboration with leading social impact partners now available to support observances of National STEM Day are:   

Engaging Classroom Activities
Catalyze effective STEM instruction with resources from the STEM Careers Coalition – the first-of-its-kind national STEM initiative powered by corporate and non-profit leaders and anchored in schools by Discovery Education. These activities span a broad range of STEM topics, introduce students to STEM leaders, and feature important skills, as well as step-by-step guides for implementing activities in lesson plans.  

The STEM Careers Coalition is celebrating its fourth-year anniversary with new resources from partners. To date, the STEM Careers Coalition has reached more than 7.2 million students in its mission to solve critical gaps in diverse representation in the STEM professional workforce. The Coalition is an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations, providing educators and students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since the launch in 2019. The Coalition will continue to ignite student curiosity and influence a diverse future STEM workforce and reach 10 million teachers and students by 2025. In 2023, the Coalition welcomed new members such as Charles River, LyondellBasell and Nucor. View the complete list of STEM Career Coalition partners here. 

Professional Learning
Most U.S. high schools do not currently offer biotechnology classes, limiting students’ ability to gain the skills and experiences necessary for careers in science and medicine. To support educators looking to infuse biotechnology into their teaching practice, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, partnered with Discovery Education to create Futurelab+, a comprehensive, two-year curriculum that includes hands-on labs, interactive resources, and career exploration tools. One of those tools, the Master Class series, shows how three educators have brought biotechnology into their classrooms. Through the series, other educators can discover how to introduce biotechnology principles in diverse learning environments by empowering students to solve real-world problems and creating inclusive instructional spaces. 

Classroom Activities
See innovation in action with a series of Virtual Site Tours hosted by Boeing. Students will be transported around the U.S. to visit unique Boeing facilities, where they’ll learn more about the people and products leading the way to the future of air travel. Each video is paired with a companion activity that incorporates project-based learning, student collaboration, and hands-on STEM problem-solving. This new series is part of FUTURE U, an award-winning program with Boeing that provides standards-aligned, hands-on, experiential learning resources that ignite excitement and inspire students to become tomorrow’s innovators. 

Explore curriculum connectors and student-facing presentations using real-world data from sources like Nielsen, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Census Bureau to support ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies instruction for grades 6-12. This series of teaching tools that leverage data as a problem-solving tool is from Discover Data—a data literacy initiative powered by the Nielsen Foundation in collaboration with Discovery Education and the National AfterSchool Association. 

Virtual Field Trips
Each immersive virtual experience features accompanying educator resources and student activities that make it easy for educators to grab, and sustain, student attention in STEM. 

  • Take students inside the labs at Illumina to explore cutting-edge sequencing technology that is being used to decode living things and revolutionize everything from medicine to agriculture to sustainability in the Genomics: Decoding the Language of Life Virtual Field Trip. Introduce students in grades 6-12 to an exciting and diverse group of individuals who are working on technology to improve lives and build a healthier future for our planet.  
  • STEAM Careers Take the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip: Country Music’s Biggest Night™ with CMA shows students in grades 6-12 how STEAM drives innovation in Country Music. This first-of-its-kind experience takes students behind the scenes of a major music event to discover the processes and people that make the televised production seem effortless. Students will meet the various STEAM professionals with diverse skills and backgrounds that help make Country Music’s Biggest Night™ a reality. 
  • Bridge to the Future: A Virtual Field Trip into Extended Reality with Verizon shows students the cutting-edge world of Extended Reality (XR) to discover how this innovative technology is redefining the world from entertainment to medicine to education and beyond. Students go to the Verizon Innovation Lab in Boston, Massachusetts to discover how new technologies are connecting people and redefining the possibilities of how we interact. Students will explore the differences between Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), and learn how XR is helping to revolutionize on-the-job training, gaming, entertainment, manufacturing, and more. This virtual field trip premieres November 9, 2023, at 1 PM ET. Register here. 
  • Take students in grades 4-12 on a virtual adventure into New York City’s newest and most forward-thinking neighborhood to explore new horizons in community building and a behind-the-scenes look at the amazing architecture and engineering innovations at Edge, the highest outdoor skydeck in the Western Hemisphere. The Future is Now Virtual Field Trip with Edge at Hudson Yards is part of an initiative from Edge at Hudson Yards and Discovery Education that catalyzes hands-on, experiential teaching and learning by giving classrooms nationwide a virtual pass to the neighborhood of the future. 

Discover more National STEM Day resources from Discovery Education and partners here. These curated resources and more are available within Discovery Education Experience, the award-winning K-12 learning platform. Connecting educators to a vast collection of high-quality, standard-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, intuitive quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources, Discovery Education provides educators an enhanced learning platform that facilitates engaging, daily instruction. 

“STEM is the force that powers our world. National STEM Day is the perfect time to integrate new STEM resources into lessons,” said Jackie Smalls, Vice President of Social Impact Coalitions at Discovery Education. “At Discovery Education, we remain committed to providing educators the highest-quality resources aligned to STEM standards that take learning to the next level.”  

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.    

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact programs, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contacts
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release

Driving innovation, Discovery Education reaches new heights in New Hampshire classrooms

This press release was originally distributed by the New Hampshire Department of Education. You can find the Department’s online version here

CONCORD, NH (November 1, 2023) The New Hampshire Department of Education and Discovery Education are thrilled to announce that Granite State educators, students and families have reached one million engagements on the Discovery Education digital platform – helping to support learners statewide. Discovery Education is a worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.     

“This unique digital learning platform is sparking curiosity and igniting wonder for both students and teachers through a suite of educational strategies that are helping students learn now and into the future,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner. “This milestone deserves to be celebrated, as we know public school districts across New Hampshire have taken advantage of Discovery Education’s innovative and engaging instructional content.” 

In 2021, the New Hampshire Department of Education selected Discovery Education’s award-winning K-12 learning platform to support all New Hampshire learning environments with high quality instructional material. Since then, there have been more than one million engagements statewide for all Discovery Education resources. 

Some of the most popular content includes digital explorations with Lewis and Clark, interactive math games from Arcademics, daily fix-it grammar activities and ready-to-use background builders on topics such as Veterans Day and United States history. 

“Discovery Education is proud to serve the educators of New Hampshire and we are encouraged by how quickly our resources have been embraced by the teachers across the state,” said Dr. Karen Beerer, Discovery Education’s Senior Vice President of Teaching and Learning. “The innovative learning experiences New Hampshire’s teachers are creating are playing a critical role in preparing students for success beyond graduation, and we look forward to continuing this powerful partnership.” 

Connecting educators to a vast collection of high-quality, standards-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, intuitive quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources, Discovery Education’s platform – Experience – provides educators with a unique learning platform that facilitates engaging, daily instruction in any learning environment.  

Use of Discovery Education Experience’scurricular resources have improved academic outcomes across the country for students overall, especially for underperforming students. Research also indicates that students who have regular access to Discovery Education resources have higher attendance rates and outpace their peers on state assessments. More information about Discovery Education’s research studies can be found here.  

Through this partnership, Discovery Education is offered to every school in New Hampshire at no cost. New Hampshire educators interested in learning more about Discovery Education’s resources should contact Nancy Rose at nrose@discoveryed.com or visit Discovery Education’s New Hampshire Partnership website here.  

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.  

Posted in Press Release

Discovery Education’s Science Techbook Approved for Statewide Use by Oregon’s State Board of Education

Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, October 24, 2023)Following a comprehensive evaluation, the Oregon State Board of Education has approved Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for Oregon for statewide use as a core instructional resource for the K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade bands. Oregon’s adoption of this resource through its rigorous adoption process empowers the state’s school systems to integrate this innovative digital-print-kit blended curriculum into teaching and learning. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.    

Delivered through Discovery Education Experience, the company’s K-12 learning platform, Science Techbook for Oregon is a K-12 core curriculum that includes engaging digital resources, print student textbooks, hands-on activity kits, virtual investigations, and custom professional learning. Aligned to the 2022 Oregon Science Standards, this comprehensive resource includes ready-to use, phenomena-driven lessons that motivate students, powerful technology toolssuch as toggle-on Spanish translationthat personalize access, and time-saving teacher tools that streamline prep and grading. Science Techbook for Oregon is available in both print and digital formats, providing a seamless classroom experience complete with immersive, interactive ways to explore, including hand-on engineering activities and labs and STEM connections. 

Through its digital, print, and blended options, Science Techbook for Oregon delivers a wide range of high-quality resources to support students as they discover how science is practiced in the real world, while focusing on deeper understanding and application of grade-appropriate science content. 

All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. 

“Discovery Education is grateful to Oregon’s State Board of Education for their thoughtful and comprehensive review of Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for Oregon,” said Jody Shell, Discovery Education’s Manager of Education Partnerships in Oregon. “The state’s adoption of this powerful core-curriculum opens the door to the creation of rich learning experiences that ignite student curiosity and drive deeper learning in the sciences. We look forward to working together with school systems across Oregon to bring this engaging core curriculum to students.” 

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook 

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education
Phone: 202-316-6615
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release

Verizon and Discovery Education Present New Virtual Field Trip Exploring Extended Reality

Charlotte, NC (Monday, October 23, 2023) – Discovery Education and Verizon today announced a new virtual experience – Bridge to the Future: A Virtual Field Trip into Extended Reality – showing students in grades 6-12 the possibilities of the immersive world. This virtual field trip builds upon Discovery Education’s immersive learning suite of resources, including a multi-year partnership with Verizon. 

Premiering November 9, 2023, at 1 PM ET and available on-demand, the Bridge to the Future: A Virtual Field Trip into Extended Reality brings to life the cutting-edge world of Extended Reality (XR) for students to discover how this innovative technology is redefining the world from entertainment and medicine to education and beyond. In this program, students visit the Verizon Innovation Lab in Boston, Massachusetts to discover how new technologies are connecting people and redefining the possibilities of how we interact. Students explore the differences between Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), and learn how XR is helping to revolutionize on-the-job training, gaming, entertainment, manufacturing, and more. Students will also get an up-close look at exciting careers in cybersecurity, gaming, and engineering by meeting with diverse STEM professionals. 

“For over a decade, Verizon has been committed to helping close the digital divide and providing equitable access to high-quality STEM education,” said Alex Servello, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Verizon. “Through our partnership with Discovery Education, our new virtual field trip and the resources available on Verizon Innovative Learning HQ are exposing students and educators to immersive technologies and the talented STEM professionals that harness their potential.” 

An accompanying educator guide provides teachers with materials and activities for before, during, and after the virtual field trip. Learn more and register here. 

The Bridge to the Future: A Virtual Field Trip into Extended Reality builds upon a long-standing partnership with Verizon for the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.  

“Students are naturally curious and gravitate to the latest and greatest technologies. Immersive reality has the power to open minds, make connections, and amplify learning. We are thrilled to partner with Verizon, to offer students and educators a whole new way to explore cutting-edge technology,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Social Impact at Discovery Education. 

Discover more Immersive Learning solutions from Discovery Education here. 

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.   

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About Verizon Innovative Learning    
Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, has addressed barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers for over a decade. Since 2012, the initiative has committed $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 3.5 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and innovative learning programs to students in Title I schools – enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to be a part of the innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive XR educational experiences to all educators, including K-12 teachers, nationwide. A key initiative under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to drive the company’s goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com. 

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact programs, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.  

Contacts
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
gmaliska@discoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release

Montana Office of Public Instruction Selects Discovery Education’s DreamBox Learning to Increase Learning Achievement for Montana Students

DreamBox Math and DreamBox Reading Plus will be Offered to School Districts Statewide throughout the 2023-24 and 2024-25 School Years

This news was originally published on the Montana Office of Public Instruction news page.

Charlotte, NC (Thursday, October 19, 2023) — Discovery Education’s DreamBox Learning (“DreamBox”), the pioneer of intelligent adaptive learning technology, today announced a new partnership with the Montana Office of Public Instruction (Montana OPI) to provide DreamBox Math and DreamBox Reading Plus to nearly 30,000 students (grades 3-8) across the state. DreamBox, which was recently acquired by Discovery Education, is the only provider of digital solutions rated “Strong” by Johns Hopkins’ EvidenceforESSA.org in both mathematics and reading.

Montana OPI will offer Discovery Education’s DreamBox solutions to the 53 school districts participating in the second year of the state’s “Montana Alternative Student Testing” (MAST) Pilot program, and then expand to all educators and students the following school year. MAST is an initiative designed to improve learning achievement by implementing “Through-Year Assessments,” a formative approach to assessment that provides teachers with actionable data that can inform instruction throughout the academic school year compared to relying on end-of-year assessment data. With more data insights throughout the year, teachers can quickly identify students’ target areas for growth and acceleration.

“This partnership emphasizes innovative solutions that accelerate student success,” said Montana State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Discovery Education’s DreamBox focuses on student-based teaching and learning, which reflects our MAST program. I am confident that teachers, students, and families will benefit from these programs that increase academic achievement.”

As a result of this partnership, students will have access to award-winning and highly efficacious learning platforms, DreamBox Math and DreamBox Reading Plus. Both programs are designed to adapt problems and questions based on how each student learns. While DreamBox personalizes the learning experience for students, district administrators, and educators will have access to tools and resources that save them time and increase productivity as they support student success, including recommendations for specific activities and lessons. Parents and caregivers can also view their students’ learning growth through a family dashboard.

The participation of DreamBox in Montana’s MAST initiative is the latest phase of a multiyear statewide initiative launched by Discovery Education in June of this year. In the latest phase of the collaboration, DreamBox’s services complement educators’ use of Discovery Education Experience, a curated collection of high-quality, grade-level appropriate, digital content aligned to Montana’s rigorous K-12 Content Standards, which is made available to public schools statewide by Montana OPI.

Together, Discovery Education Experiences’ and DreamBox’s compelling content, research-proven designs, and adaptive technologies empower educators to deeply engage students and improve student achievement. To learn more about this partnership, visit Discovery Education’s Montana Partnership Resources center.

“Discovery Education believes every student deserves a high-quality, personalized learning experience, so we’re thrilled to expand our collaboration with Montana OPI to support even more Montana students and educators,” said Dr. Tim Hudson, Chief Learning Officer at Discovery Education. “Both Montana OPI and Discovery Education share a commitment to supporting teachers with effective resources and tools that align with education standards and improve intervention and remediation during the whole school year.”

Montana OPI selected Discovery Education’s DreamBox solutions because of the company’s proven impact on learning achievement. A recent statewide student-level analysis of more than 77,000 South Carolina students in the 2021-22 school year found that DreamBox Math accelerates learning with only five DreamBox Math lessons per week (about one hour each week). Likewise, in Missouri, targeted middle school students in Pattonville R-III School District using DreamBox Reading Plus during the 2021-22 school year averaged 2.7 reading level gains.

“We’re inspired by Montana OPI’s leadership and commitment to learning innovation,” said Dr. Jason Sinquefield, Senior Vice President of Educational Partnerships at Discovery Education. “Our team looks forward to working alongside district leaders, educators, parents and caregivers, and community members across Montana to accelerate learning for all students and improve student skill development.”

DreamBox Math and DreamBox Reading Plus will be available by the beginning of October 2023 at no additional costs for schools. For Montana district leaders and educators interested in learning more about DreamBox, please visit DreamBox.com/MAST. To learn more about DreamBox’s efficacy studies and recent school district success, visit DreamBox Resources.

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

For information about partnering with DreamBox, contact: info@dreambox.com.

DreamBox Learning Media Contact:
RH Strategic for DreamBox Learning
DreamBoxPR@rhstrategic.com

Discovery Education Media Contact:
Stephen Wakefield
swakefield@discoveryed.com

Posted in Press Release

Indiana’s Spencer-Owen Community Schools Enhances Science Instruction For K-6 Students Through New Collaboration with Global EdTech Leader

Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)—Educators in grades K-6 across Indiana’s Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) are enhancing students’ science instruction through a new collaboration with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. Thanks to a new phase of the district’s multiyear partnership with Discovery Education, students and teachers in the district’s K-2 classrooms now have access to the company’s award-winning Mystery Science product. In addition, educators and students in grades 3-6 are now using Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for teaching and learning. With these new digital resources, educators are empowered to ignite student curiosity and more deeply engage young learners in science instruction as they explore the natural world.  

Located in West-Central Indiana, S-OCS’s approximately 175 professionals deliver to the more than 2,200 students they serve a viable curriculum preparing them for success at each level of their lives. As part of the school system’s regular curriculum review cycle, S-OCS staff sought new science resources with a proven record of success in other school districts, a significant hands-on component, that were easy for educators and students to use, and that were aligned to Indiana Academic Standards. 

Following an extensive evaluation of viable solutions, SOCS selected Discovery Education’s Mystery Science for use in the district’s K-2 classrooms. 

Mystery Science, a winner of SIIA’s Best Science Instructional Solution CODiE award for Grades PK-8, provides K-5 educators simple-to-use, open-and-go, hands-on lessons that inspire students to love science. Each lesson begins by posing a question commonly asked by young students. Students then explore these questions through interactive videos featuring real-world visuals fostering a sense of wonder and actively supporting student engagement in the accompanying discussion prompts. Mystery Science simplifies prep for teachers, making the integration of this resource into classroom instruction simple. Plus, all K-5 science lessons are now available in Spanish, with accompanying videos featuring authentic Spanish narration and Spanish text-on-screen (for discussion questions, vocabulary words, and step-by-step instructions). Editable, ready-to-use worksheets and assessments are also available in both English and Spanish. 

In addition, S-OCS selected Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for classroom use in grades 3-6. The Discovery Education Science Techbook series is a comprehensive, research-backed science solution for grades K-12. Used in classrooms across the United States, the Science Techbooks for elementary students drives engagement with exclusive, interactive digital content and companion printed resources. The virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM activities, and instructional supports within Techbook enhance the delivery of impactful, blended instruction, in person or at a distance. Available with the Science Techbooks are coordinated teacher guides offering unit, concept, and lesson overviews, standards connections, and differentiation activities that inform instructional planning and guide three-dimensional learning. Teacher editions also provide flexible pacing options, embedded teacher notes, and pathways for learning that support diverse learners. The Discovery Education Science Techbook is already in use in the district’s grade 7 and 8 classrooms. 

“We are excited to broaden our relationship with Discovery Education to enhance science instruction in grades K-6,” said Betsy Breedlove, S-OCS’s Instructional Technology Coordinator.   “These resources improve our teachers’ ability to ignite younger students’ curiosity and focus it on learning about the world around them.” 

In addition to digital resources, all S-OCS educators using Discovery Education solutions will receive dedicated professional development from Discovery Education’s team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help school systems recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through these interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional development increases student engagement in learning and supports the continued academic development of all students. 

All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resource have access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. 

“Discovery Education is proud to deepen its collaboration with the talented team at Spencer-Owen Community Schools,” said Kathryn Vickers, Discovery Education’s Senior Partnerships Coordinator. “We are excited to support their efforts to help every child explore their curiosity.” 

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook 

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact 
Stephen Wakefield  
Discovery Education 
Phone: 202-316-6615 
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com 

 

Posted in Press Release

Honda and Discovery Education Team Up to Advance Teen Driver Education and Safety Awareness

Charlotte, NC (Monday, October 16, 2023) – Honda and Discovery Education today launched a new multi-year safety initiative to help address the nearly one-third of annual traffic fatalities in the U.S. involving drivers under the age of 25. Honda is building on its “Safety For Everyone” approach by teaming up with Discovery Education to launch Honda Safety Driven, a new national safety program and education initiative empowering students nationwide to use safe driving skills as a roadmap to become responsible decision-makers. Discovery Education is a worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. 

Honda Safety Driven officially kicks off during National Teen Driver Safety Week with The Science & Behavior of Safe Driving: It Takes All of Us, a new virtual field trip for students in grades 3-12, that will premiere on Oct. 16 at 1 PM ET and will be available on-demand. With a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) focus, students will learn about safe driving as the virtual field trip brings them inside Honda’s one-of-a-kind Automotive Safety Research Facility in Raymond, Ohio and the Driving Simulation Laboratory at The Ohio State University. There, the student hosts explore how Honda is innovating the future of safety and striving to create a collision free future for everyone. Teachers and students can learn more and register for The Science & Behavior of Safe Driving: It Takes All of Us Virtual Field Trip here. 

Honda launched its Safety for Everyone approach 20 years ago, an initiative committed to advancing safety for everyone sharing the road. That same year, in 2003, Honda established one of the world’s most advanced safety research facilities in Ohio. What followed were innovations like Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, award-winning airbag design, vehicles designed to mitigate injuries to pedestrians and industry-leading application of safety and driver assistive technologies in Honda Sensing®. 

To advance safety among young drivers, Honda has contributed nearly $4 million to the traffic safety community over the past 2 years specifically to support programs promoting teen driver safety and education. These programs include education, training and resources that supplement or go beyond traditional driver’s training courses or mandated state driver’s programs. The application process for 2024 funding cycle awards is open until October 31, 2023. For more information about Honda’s U.S. grant programs or to apply, please visit https://csr.honda.com/community/honda-giving 

Too many young drivers die in preventable crashes every year, devastating families and communities across the U.S., and Honda continues to explore new ways to avert these tragedies,” said MJ Foxley, Safety Strategy Leader at Honda. “Honda is targeting zero traffic fatalities involving our vehicles by the year 2050, and Honda Safety Driven puts resources in the hands of educators, students and families to create the next generation of responsible drivers and passengers.” 

Earlier this year, Honda announced the creation of the new Honda Driver Coaching smartphone app, designed to help improve the skills of new drivers and promote safe driving practices. Free to download from the Apple App Store, Honda Driver Coaching is the perfect complement to formal driver education as it combines exclusive access to the vehicle’s onboard computer to deliver detailed, real time driving analysis with a clever game component to ensure the lessons are fun and engaging.   

Honda Safety Driven equips students with safe vehicle skills through a diverse collection of digital resources, including an educator guide, classroom activities, and a family discussion guide, to provide teachers and families with materials that take learning further in any setting. An evolving platform, Honda Safety Driven will add additional content over time to remain current and continue strong engagement with students and other stakeholders. 

“For many young people, driving is a point of pride and freedom. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Discovery Education is happy to bring Honda Safety Driven to young drivers and passengers alike so that they have the know-how to be responsible on the road while also exploring the STEAM behind the wheel,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Social Impact at Discovery Education.  

Learn more about young driver safety and Honda Safety Driven at hondasafetydriven.com and on Discovery Education Experience, the company’s award-winning K-12 learning platform.  

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Honda Commitment to Safety
Honda is committed to “Safety for Everyone” and is working to further improve safety for everyone sharing the road. The company’s goal is zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles globally by 2050. Honda operates two of the world’s most sophisticated crash-test facilities in Ohio and Japan, and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in crashworthiness, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety.  

Advanced passive safety features include Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and next-generation driver and passenger front airbag technology, which are designed to provide a high level of collision protection for occupants. Advanced active safety and driver-assistive systems found in Honda Sensing® and AcuraWatch™ technologies, now on nearly 7 million vehicles on U.S. roads, are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions while also serving as a technological and perceptual bridge to the more highly automated vehicles of the future. 

Learn more at https://www.honda.com/safety. 

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and social impact initiatives, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners.   

Contacts
Chris Martin
Honda
Email: chris_martin@na.honda.com 

Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com 

Posted in Press Release