Clearlake Capital-Backed Discovery Education to Acquire DreamBox Learning Posted on August 29, 2023 · Updated on August 29, 2023 by Grace Maliska Latest Acquisition Will Expand Discovery Education’s Solution Suite Supporting Math and Reading Charlotte, NC (August 29, 2023)—Discovery Education, a global education technology company backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Clearlake”), today announced it has agreed to acquire DreamBox Learning®, a PK-12 education technology provider serving more than 6 million students and 600,000 educators nationwide. DreamBox Learning’s current investors Elliott Investment Management L.P. and TPG’s The Rise Fund will retain minority stakes in the company. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in Bellevue, WA, DreamBox Learning offers the only dual-discipline solution rated “Strong” by Johns Hopkins University’s evidenceforESSA.org in both mathematics and reading. Through its high-quality adaptive learning solutions independently proven to accelerate student growth, DreamBox Learning empowers educators with data analytics and content-specific professional development solutions to complement instruction. “Discovery Education is excited to welcome DreamBox Learning, a brand synonymous with quality, research-based math and reading edtech solutions to our growing family of services,” said Discovery Education Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Cowdrey. “Combining an expertise in learning science with adaptive, effective instructional solutions, DreamBox Learning’s solutions can help students excel regardless of who they are or where they live. Through this latest acquisition, Discovery Education is better positioned to broaden its impact on student success by providing our existing network of partner school systems access to DreamBox Learning’s collection of supplemental math, reading, and professional learning solutions.” The acquisition of DreamBox Learning supports Discovery Education’s mission to prepare learners for tomorrow by creating innovative classrooms connected to today’s world. DreamBox Learning’s products complement Discovery Education’s other successful digital solutions, which include Discovery Education Experience, the company’s award-winning K-12 platform, the Techbook series of digital textbooks, Mystery Science, and more, in supporting student achievement. The acquisition of DreamBox Learning comes at a time when school districts are seeking comprehensive, yet consolidated platforms to address a wide range of core and supplemental learning needs, backed by research that underscores meaningful gains in achievement. The addition of DreamBox Learning’s intelligent adaptive learning technology to the Discovery Education suite will provide educators and students with more options for engaging, personalized learning experiences across a variety of disciplines. “DreamBox Learning was founded in 2006 with the mission to transform the way the world learns through our pioneering intelligent adaptive learning technology, and today’s announcement represents a significant next step to achieving that mission. Building upon our existing math and reading solutions, we can now leverage Discovery Education’s highly scalable global footprint to reach more students and deepen our partnerships with educators around the world,” said Jessie Woolley-Wilson, President and CEO of DreamBox Learning. DreamBox Learning will be Discovery Education’s most recent acquisition, joining Pivot Interactives and DoodleLearning, which were acquired in August of 2022, and Mystery Science, which was acquired in 2020. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Discovery Education. Moelis & Company LLC acted as lead financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal advisor to DreamBox Learning on the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, pending customary regulatory approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. # # # 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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. About Clearlake Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlake’s operational improvement approach, O.P.S.® The firm’s core target sectors are technology, consumer, and industrials. Clearlake currently has over $70 billion of assets under management and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK, Dublin, Ireland, and Singapore. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @Clearlake. Contact Stephen Wakefield for Discovery Education Phone: 202-316-6615 Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com Jennifer Hurson for Clearlake Phone: 845-507-0571 Email: jhurson@lambert.com Posted in Press Release
STEM Careers Coalition from Discovery Education Named as Winner of Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Award Posted on August 21, 2023 · Updated on August 21, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Monday, August 21, 2023) – 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 – recently was named the Best Freebies for STEM Careers as part of the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Awards. The Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards are the only awards program judged by STEM educators. The awards program, operated in partnership with the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and MCH Strategic Data, and for the first time this year with the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), spotlights innovative products, technologies, and services that are changing the world of STEM education. Submissions were evaluated in a two-part judging process. First, by an expert panel of judges, then by more than 267,000 STEM educators, who were given the opportunity to evaluate the finalists via survey. “The number of remarkable products and the degree of innovation made an enormous impression on the judges,” said Annie Galvin Teich, president of The Teich Group and lead judge. “Educators value the alignment with NGSS standards, the use of simulations, instructional support for teachers, and the flexibility of implementation for different modes of instruction across all STEM topics.” The STEM Careers Coalition solves for critical gaps in diverse representation in the STEM professional workforce. The Coalition is an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations, reaching 6.7 million teachers and students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since it’s 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. View the complete list of STEM Career Coalition partners here. “We are proud to receive this award and are thankful to the judges and educators for their hard work,” said Jackie Smalls, Vice President of Social Impact Coalitions at Discovery Education. “The STEM Careers Coalition diversifies the STEM workforce by providing teachers and students equitable access to innovative content and learning experiences. Aligned to learning standards and created with innovative industry leading organizations, the resources ignite and sustain student curiosity in STEM.” Learn more about the Educators Pick Best of STEM 2023 Awards and the other winners here. For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### About Catapult X Founded by Daylene Long, Catapult X is a market and product development company that consults exclusively with science and STEM/STEAM education industry partners—organizations, businesses, and associations—to catapult their brand and products forward by using data-driven insights. Long catapults brand, product, and sales growth through alignment of data and strategy, using progressive research techniques and customer discovery. Long publishes national surveys on STEM education and STEM marketing infographics to guide edtech marketers across the globe. Long is an affiliate member of the Council of State Science Supervisors, a member of NSELA, and a twenty-year member of NSTA. Long connects her clients to administrators, educators, distributors, and media to build strong global partnerships. 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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@discoveryed.com Daylene Long Catapult X Email: daylene@catapult-x.com Posted in Press Release
Arkansas’ LISA Academy Renews Partnership with Global Edtech Leader Supporting Student Success Posted on August 8, 2023 · Updated on August 8, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)—Arkansas’ LISA Academy public charter school district today announced the renewal of its partnership with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. Thanks to this continued collaboration, students across the LISA Academy district will continue using Discovery Education’s engaging digital and print services to explore their curiosity about all subjects. Discovery Education is the global edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports instruction wherever it takes place. Little Scholars of Arkansas (LISA) Academy is a tuition-free public charter school with a comprehensive STEM-focused college preparatory program. Established in 2004, all 11 schools across the state are accredited by the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The district serves over 4,300 students in its mission to provide an academically rigorous college preparatory program that prepares students to succeed in education and in the workplace of their choice. LISA Academy’s administration selected Discovery Education’s services because of their ease of use and proven record of quickly engaging students in K-12 subjects. Following their successful debut in LISA Academy classrooms, the charter district renewed the following Discovery Education services for the 2023-2024 school year: Discovery Education Experience. 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 Experience provides an enhanced learning platform that facilitates engaging instruction in any environment. These resources, sourced from trusted partners, are aligned to state and national standards and help educators bring the outside world into teaching and learning every day. Through expanded, lasting partnerships with Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, Brightspace, and Clever, integrating Discovery Education’s K-12 learning platform into existing IT architecture is easier than ever. Discovery Education Science Techbooks. 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 drive 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. Mystery Science. Mystery Science, which joined the family of Discovery Education services in 2020 and has won 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. “The LISA Academy is an award-winning charter district with a 95% college acceptance rate. To continue this tradition of excellence, we require supportive edtech solutions that are both simple to use and of the highest quality,” said Dr. Fatih Bogrek, Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent of the LISA Academy. “The continuation of this partnership helps meet this need, and we are excited for the next phase of this powerful collaboration.” Also, all LISA Academy educators enjoy 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 continue its partnership with LISA Academy,” said Nicholas Yorio, Discovery Education’s Senior National Partnership Coordinator. “Their investment in dependable, dynamic digital resources is creating powerful learning experiences that are helping students meet their academic goals. We look forward to the next step in this relationship.” For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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
Pennsylvania’s Colonial School District and Global EdTech Leader Renew Multiyear Partnership Supporting Science Instruction Posted on August 1, 2023 · Updated on August 1, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, August 1, 2023)—Pennsylvania’s Colonial School District (CSD) announced today the renewal of their multiyear partnership with Discovery Education. Through the continuation of this collaboration, CSD ensures that K-5 students and educators across the district will maintain access to cutting-edge digital resources supporting science instruction aligned to Pennsylvania STEELS standards as well as national standards. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports instruction wherever it takes place. The Colonial School District serves about 5,330 students from the Borough of Conshohocken and the Townships of Plymouth and Whitemarsh in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just northwest of Philadelphia. In its five elementary schools, one middle, and one high school, CSD provides a space that is welcoming for all students to learn, grow, and serve. In 2020, CSD’s teachers and administrators sought a K-5 science solution aligned to national and state science standards, simple to use, easy to integrate into instruction, and aligned to CSD’s mission to create resilient, lifelong learners and leaders who will enrich the world. Following a thorough review of available solutions, CSD’s administration selected Mystery Science from Discovery Education for use in all K-5 classrooms. Mystery Science, which joined the family of Discovery Education services in 2020 and has won 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. “Over the years, Discovery Education’s Mystery Science has been an essential tool for student success,” said Maria Wileczek, Curriculum Supervisor at Colonial School District. “This, and the resource’s unique combination of phenomena-based instructional resources and professional development support, made the decision to continue this relationship easy.” In addition to Mystery Science, Discovery Education Experience is also available in the district’s K-3 classrooms. CSD educators also have access to the Discovery Educator Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Educator 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 incredibly excited to see the success Colonial School District’s students and educators are having with our services,” said Sage Pintler, Discovery Education’s Manager of District Partnerships “Colonial School District has established itself as a leader in K-5 Science education, and we are proud to be a part of their work.” For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning services—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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
Early Learners Across Minnesota’s Grand Rapids ISD 318 Set to Return to the Classroom this Fall with New Resources in Their Digital Backpacks Posted on July 27, 2023 · Updated on July 27, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Thursday, July 27, 2023)—Early learners in kindergarten and first grade across Minnesota’s Grand Rapids ISD 318 (District 318) will return to their classrooms this Fall with new resources from worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education in their digital backpacks. Thanks to a new multiyear partnership with Discovery Education, students and teachers in the district’s kindergarten and first grade classrooms will have access to the company’s award-winning Mystery Science service. With this new digital resource, educators are empowered to ignite student curiosity and more deeply engage young learners in science instruction as they explore the natural world. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports instruction wherever it takes place. Located in Minnesota’s picturesque Itasca County, District 318 serves approximately 4,000 students, along with additional programs that serve individuals from birth to adults. The district serves Grand Rapids, Cohasset, Bigfork, Marcell, Warba, and many smaller towns and townships over a 2,200 square mile area. The district mission is “Teaching and Learning for Life to Achieve Excellence,” and its strategic aims are “Highest Student Achievement, Safe Environment, Effective and Efficient Systems, and Partnerships.” As part of the school system’s curriculum review cycle, District 318 staff sought new science resources with a proven record of success in other school districts, that included a significant hands-on component, and that were easy for educators to integrate into existing lessons and simple for students to use. Following a careful review of viable solutions, District 318 selected Discovery Education’s Mystery Science for kindergarten and first grade classroom use. Mystery Science, which joined the family of Discovery Education services in 2020 and has won 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. Then, students participate in easy to prepare affordable hands-on labs that use simple science supplies commonly found in classrooms or at home. Mystery Science contains everything teachers need to get students engaged in hands-on science and make that subject the best class of the day. 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. “We are excited to integrate Mystery Science into classroom instruction this Fall,” said Ryan DeBay, District 318’s Director of Teaching and Learning. “This resource enhances our teachers’ ability to ignite our youngest students’ curiosity and channel it to learning about the world around them.” All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resource have access to the Discovery Educator Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Educator 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 collaborate with the talented team at District 318 to introduce Mystery Science to students,” said Steve Miller, Discovery Education’s District Partnership Manager for Mystery Science. “District 318 is charting an exciting course for science education, and we are excited to be a part of this important work.” For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning services—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds— visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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 Engaging, No-Cost Professional Learning Event and New Digital Resources to Help Educators Return to the Classroom and Ignite Student Curiosity This Fall Posted on July 25, 2023 · Updated on July 25, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)— Discovery Education today unveiled an engaging, no-cost professional learning event, as well as updated digital resources coming this Fall designed to support educators’ efforts to ignite the natural curiosity of every K-12 student. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports instruction wherever it takes place. Discovery Education’s Creating Curious Classrooms is a free professional learning series for school and science curriculum leaders that takes a fresh approach to how the latest digital resources and tools can be integrated into instruction to drive REAL engagement and a powerful science program. Live and on-demand sessions will provide participants examples of how teachers from across the country can create and deliver fascinating science lessons that unlock student curiosity in grades K-12 and inspire exploration of the world around them. For more information and to register to attend, visit the Creating Curious Classrooms homepage here. Discovery Education is also updating the digital resources found in several of the company’s award-winning services to provide educators additional ways to maximize students’ innate inquisitiveness. Included in the latest updates coming to Discovery Education Experience, the company’s award-winning K-12 platform, this Fall are: Discovery Education’s all-new DE original series, Need to Know, provides DE-produced videos and ready-to-use lessons for grades K-5 that help educators engage students and facilitate classroom discourse on important United States historical events. Utilizing historical artifacts that reflect influential moments in history, educators guide students through structured learning experiences and activities that provide opportunities for text analysis and collaboration. Literacy supports are woven throughout lessons and enhance teachers’ literacy instruction. The Electric Company: K-2 ELA Collection, coming to the exclusive Sesame Learning Channel, provides engaging, research-based resources and lessons that support young students in becoming proficient readers, language learners, and communicators. The collection includes learner-centered videos featuring characters from The Electric Company, ready-to-use presentation materials, professional development resources, and lesson plans. New resources from our trusted educational partners, spanning grades and subjects – including Shark Week 2023, The Fixies, Coyote Peterson: Brave Wilderness, NASA, Vooks, Fable Cottage, Panasonic, and more! From videos to instructional activities to reading passages to animated storybooks and more – there’s something for everyone to inspire learning and ignite curiosity. In addition, Discovery Education Experience is being updated to provide users a more personal experience, even better, faster search results, and improved administrative and integration functions that make using this service easier than ever. Finally, Discovery Education Experience will soon allow users access to DoodleMath. A product of DoodleLearning, which joined the Discovery Education family in 2022, DoodleMath is a K-5 math practice solution personalized to each student’s need. Discovery Education’s Science Techbook has also been updated with more than 100 re-imagined virtual labs and interactives to support K-8 science explorations. 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 drive engagement with exclusive, interactive digital content and companion printed resources. Pivot Interactives—the online science curriculum supplement that helps teachers provide more phenomena-based, active learning, without adding to their plates—has also been enhanced for back-to-school. New this Fall are: Draggable tasks structured to incrementally develop students’ skills in the science practices make science now easier to teach, learn, and assess with auto-grading. Immediate, guided feedback and embedded scaffolding that provides students the guidance they need when they need it and saves teachers hours they can use to deepen relationships in the classroom. Deep randomization of content and variables adds a layer of novelty to activities and assures students are demonstrating authentic learning of the scientific practices authentically. New this Fall to Mystery Science—the unique, standards-aligned science curriculum for grades K-5— are updated open-and-go lessons and units for grades 2-4. These lessons and units, which include step-by-step, hands-on activities exploring scientific phenomena, help students stay curious by answering the “real life” science questions asked by students nationwide. The Mystery Science team is also updating their Standards Alignment Guide to better help teachers plan their entire year of standards-based instruction. In addition, Discovery Education’s corporate partners are providing educators an array of back-to-school resources supporting a variety of topics, including: Immersive learning. With Verizon, educators can take augmented reality to a new level with a trip to Mars in 2072 via two augmented reality apps, TimePod and Sandbox AR. These experiences are accompanied by standards-aligned lessons, all available on Discovery Education Experience, smartphone app stores, and the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ. STEM career explorations. The STEM Careers Coalition™ offers a collection of resources spotlighting careers in STEM. Students can see people like them working while diving deeper into STEM topics through a variety of hands-on, lessons and activities. Teachers can then introduce students to STEM with over 200 resources designed to uncover students’ STEM skills and activate future solution seekers. The new Curiosity Circle collection features a variety of video vignettes designed for grades K-5. Spark inspiration: Launching for back to school, this new video topic series from Boeing transports students across the globe to explore technology and innovation, diversity and culture, and commitment to sustainability and problem-solving through the lens of different people and countries. 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. “Curiosity is an integral part of the human condition,” said Pete Weir, Discovery Education’s Chief Product Officer. “When students enter the classroom, they bring their natural curiosity with them. It is critical that we provide educators everything they need to spark students’ interest in the world around them and ignite their natural curiosity in all subjects. We believe that our Creating Curious Classrooms series and the new digital content and resources added to our services provide educators innovative new strategies and tools to bring learning alive in every grade.” To learn more about Discovery Education’s plans to ignite student curiosity throughout the Fall, visit the Curiosity homepage here. For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning services—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds— visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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
Indiana’s Vigo County School Corporation Adds New, High-Tech Tools Supporting Teaching and Learning to Students’ Digital Book Bags Posted on July 20, 2023 · Updated on July 20, 2023 by Stephen Wakefield Charlotte, NC (Thursday, July 20, 2023)—Students across Indiana’s Vigo County School Corporation (VCSC) will add new, high-quality learning resources to their digital book bags this Fall thanks to a new partnership with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. In this new collaboration, Discovery Education will provide district students in grades K-12 exciting new digital and print services that will help them explore their curiosity about all subjects. In addition, district educators will receive in-depth professional learning opportunities that will help them integrate their new resources into instruction and create engaging lessons that prepare students for success beyond the classroom. VCSC is one of Vigo County’s largest employers, serving nearly 14,000 students across three traditional high schools, five middle schools, 15 elementary schools, an alternative school, and a virtual school. VCSC works to build upon the strengths of their diverse community to create a comprehensive and engaging learning environment that supports the lifelong success of all students. The VCSC community sees educational technology’s potential to advance relationships between teachers and their students, shrink long-standing accessibility gaps, and increase the depth of learning experiences for all children. So, to support district goals in the sciences and other academic disciplines, school administrators sought high-quality digital resources that featured hands-on components and could easily be integrated into teaching and learning. Following a thorough review of available solutions, VCSC’s administration selected the following Discovery Education resources for K-5 classrooms: Discovery Education Experience. 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 provides an enhanced learning platform that facilitates engaging, daily instruction in any environment. These resources, sourced from trusted partners, are aligned to state and national standards and help educators bring the outside world into teaching and learning every day. Through expanded, lasting partnerships with Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, Brightspace, and Clever, integrating Discovery Education’s K-12 learning platform into existing IT architecture is easier than ever. Discovery Education Science Techbooks. 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. Mystery Science. Mystery Science, which joined the family of Discovery Education services in 2020 and has won 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. Discovery Education Experience and the Science Techbook for Chemistry and Physics will also be used by VCSC’s high school students and educators, as will Discovery Education’s Pivot Interactives service. Pivot, which joined the Discovery Education family of services in 2022, makes teaching science with active learning and scientific phenomena engaging and easy. Launched in 2012 by two visionary educators, the platform provides users with more than 10,000 authentic, video-based science interactives crafted by Pivot’s expert curriculum team and teacher community. These resources, tied to state and national standards, are infused with research-based teaching practices and are simple to integrate throughout the instructional cycle. In addition to digital resources, all VCSC educators using Discovery Education services 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. Finally, all VCSC educators now enjoy 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 thrilled to partner with the talented team at the Vigo County School Corporation,” said Kyle Talavera, Discovery Education’s Manager of Education Partnerships. “Their dedication to thoughtfully integrating technology into instruction advances their mission to support the success of all students. We are excited to be a part of this important work.” For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning services—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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 and its Corporate Partners Offering Free Resources for Families to Keep Learning Alive All Summer Posted on July 10, 2023 · Updated on July 10, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Monday, July 10, 2023) — To keep students engaged in learning while on summer break, Discovery Education and select partners have created free dynamic digital resources for students and caregivers to use at home. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. The following selection of family activities that connect families to engaging learning experiences anywhere learning is taking place: Build the Change: Take the power of play beyond the classroom with collaborative activities that inspire students and families to learn through play by solving creative challenges as a team while exploring their own local environments with these activities from Build the Change, a program by the LEGO Group’s sustainability team. Conservation Station: Explore the unexpected connections at the heart of the energy-water nexus and discover how to conserve water and energy with engaging at home activities from Conservation Station: Creating a More Resourceful World—an educational initiative with Itron. Pathway to Financial Success in Schools: Nationally recognized with the Jump$tart Coalition’s 2021 Innovation Award, Pathway to Financial Success in Schools is a personal finance education resource with Discover Financial Services. These family resources are easy-to-use resources to help families conduct very important conversations with your teens. Students can take the learning further with 40 self-paced modules that turn what they learn into practice. Science at Home: 3M’s Science at Home video series is a collection of simple, watch-then-do science experiments that feature 3M scientists and special guests using common household items to reinforce core scientific principles and make STEM learning more accessible. Through these at home activities, STEM solution seekers can experience scientific phenomenon through creative and fun projects that range from engineering with marshmallows, to chemistry with baking soda. STEM Forward with Olympic Swimmer Katie Ledecky: Join Katie Ledecky, 3-time Olympian, 7-time Olympic Gold medal swimmer, proud STEM advocate and Team Panasonic athlete, for an immersive deep dive into game-changing technology that powers society and enhances our lives. The Winning with STEM Virtual Field Trip created in partnership with Panasonic transports students to five Innovation Centers across America with the accompanying family activity that connects STEM principles to everyday life. Working in Harmony: Inspire collaborative learning experiences through Country Music. Celebrate the power of STEAM with easy-to-use activities designed to bring the whole family together by creating a backyard light show and music production. These activities are from Working in Harmony, a partnership with the Country Music Association. “At Discovery Education, we’re committed to preparing learners for tomorrow by creating innovative learning experiences connected to today’s world. That means keeping learning alive, and exciting, during the summer,” said Amy Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Social Impact at Discovery Education. “These partners have stepped up to ensure all students can continue learning.” For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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
Students and Teachers in Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools Set to Return to Classrooms this Fall with Engaging New Tools from Worldwide Edtech Leader Posted on July 6, 2023 · Updated on July 6, 2023 by Grace Maliska Charlotte, NC (Thursday, July 6, 2023)—Students and teachers in grades K-8 across Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will return to their classrooms this Fall to find new resources in their high-tech pencil cases thanks to a deepened collaboration with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. In the latest phase of this more than 20-year partnership, Discovery Education will provide district elementary and middle school students exciting new digital science textbooks that will help them explore their curiosity about the natural world. In addition, Discovery Education will provide teachers with stimulating professional learning experiences that will help create engaging lessons that prepare students for success beyond the classroom. PGCPS is one of the nation’s 20th largest school districts and has 198 schools and centers, more than 131,000 students, and nearly 20,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban, and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide all learners with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion. PGCPS seeks to provide all PreK-12 students equitable access to exemplary teachers, science curriculum programming, instructional practices, and standards-based assessments that are reflective of research and best practices. To support this effort, the district’s science curriculum team sought a digital K-8 science resource aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and supportive of improved student achievement and heightened career and college readiness. Following a thorough review of available digital resources, PGCPS selected the Discovery Education Science Techbooks for use in elementary and middle school classrooms. 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 drive engagement with exclusive phenomena and interactive content. Virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM activities, and a variety of instructional supports enhance the delivery of impactful, blended instruction, in person or at a distance. Available with the Science Techbooks are coordinated digital and print teacher guides offering unit, concept, and lesson overviews, standards connections, and differentiation activities to inform instructional planning and guide three-dimensional learning. Teacher editions also provide flexible pacing options, embedded teacher notes, and pathways for understanding that support diverse learners. Discovery Education’s Science Techbook will be used alongside Discovery Education’s award-winning K-12 learning platform, which is currently accessible to teachers and students districtwide. 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 K-12 platform facilitates engaging, daily instruction in any learning environment. “Science is an essential tool for solving the greatest problems of our time and understanding the world around us, and ensuring every child receives a rich education in science should be a national priority. In Prince George’s County Public Schools we have made providing all our students an outstanding science education a priority and we are elevating the discipline by offering all learners engaging opportunities to explore their inherent curiosity about the natural world as they learn to think critically, solve real-world problems, and build pertinent skills that prepare them for an exciting future,” said Dr. Godfrey Rangasammy, PGCPS’s K-12 Science Supervisor. “Discovery Education’s Science Techbook has been proven to meet this mission in classrooms nationwide, and we are excited to begin to integrate it into teaching and learning in our elementary and middle school classrooms.” In addition to digital resources, all PGCPS educators using Discovery Education services 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 maximizes the power of these resources, increases student engagement in learning, and supports the continued academic development of all students. Also, all PGCPS educators enjoy 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 excited to launch this new phase of collaboration with our long-time partners in Prince George’s County Public Schools,” said Coni Rechner, Discovery Education’s Senior Vice President of State & Strategic Partnership. “In addition to creating a compelling science curriculum supporting the success of the youngest learners, the district is showing tremendous leadership by using our services to support efforts to engage K-8 students in STEM and career exploration. Prince George’s County Public Schools is creating a model that I believe will be replicated nationwide, and we are proud to support their efforts.” For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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
3M Young Scientist Challenge Announces 2023 National Finalists Posted on June 27, 2023 · Updated on June 27, 2023 by Grace Maliska ST. PAUL, Minn. & CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Tuesday, June 27, 2023) – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) top 10 finalists. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” This year’s finalists – fourteen students ranging in age from 11-14 – identified an everyday problem in their community or the world and submitted a one- to two-minute video communicating the science behind their solution. An esteemed and diverse group of judges, including 3M scientists and leaders in education from across the country, evaluated entries based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication effectiveness. The competition event will take place from October 9-10, 2023, at the 3M Innovation Center in Minneapolis. “For 16 years, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge has exemplified our belief in harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what’s possible. The remarkable young innovators of this competition share our determination to help shape a brighter future.” said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. “By asking students to think creatively and apply the power of science to everyday problems, incredible solutions and leaders arise.” The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists include students from public and private schools across the U.S. Each finalist will be evaluated on a series of challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation. Each challenge will be scored independently by a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a unique destination trip, and the title of America’s Top Young Scientist. The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists are as follows in alphabetical order by last name: Heman Bekele, Annandale, Va., Frost Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools Anisha Dhoot, Portland, Ore., Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District 48J Ishaan Iyer, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Perdew Elementary, Etiwanda School District Sean Jiang, Baltimore, Md., Gilman School, Private Shripriya Kalbhavi, San Jose, Calif., Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School District Annie Katz, New Rochelle, N.Y., Leffell School, Private Anish Kosaraju, Saratoga, Calif., The Harker School, Campbell Union High School District Adhip Maitra, Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County School District Shruti Sivaraman, Austin, Texas, Canyon Vista Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District Sarah Wang, Andover, Mass., The Pike School, Independent To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com. “What a delight it is to see these incredible young innovators recognized for their hard work. The 2023 finalists showcase the power of innovation with projects spanning an array of fascinating scientific topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. We cannot wait to see your ideas come to life!” said Amy Nakamoto, general manager of social impact at Discovery Education. America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. In addition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network began fall 2022 and welcomed more than 100 former challenge finalists and winners for networking and grant opportunities. The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program – Young Scientist Lab – which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education’s recently enhanced K-12 learning platform. For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### About 3M 3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews. 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, and innovative classroom tools, 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 Robert Brittain 3M Email: rbrittain@mmm.com Grace Maliska Discovery Education Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com Posted in Press Release