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DISCOVERY EDUCATION AND NUTRIENTS FOR LIFE FOUNDATION AWARD SIX MIDDLE SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE AGRICULTURE GRANTS THROUGH “LET IT GROW CONTEST”

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Alycia Chanin, Discovery Education
(240) 662-3056, alycia_chanin@discovery.com 

—Onion Creek School District #30 in Colville, Washington, Wins Grand Prize and Special In-School Assembly to be Held May 5–

–Five Middle Schools Receive Grants and Prizes as Winners of National Earth Science Contest —

SILVER SPRING, Md. (April 27, 2016) – Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, and the Nutrients for Life Foundation, an educational non-profit that teaches students and the public about the vital role soil nutrients play in growing our world, announced today the winners of the 2016 Let It Grow Contest. This contest awards more than $10,000 in prizes to six middle schools nationwide as part of From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil, an education initiative that offers middle school students a deeper understanding of the importance of soil science. Educators, parents and community members were invited to enter the Let It Grow Contest by answering soil-related questions and voting daily for a middle school of their choice.

Out of more than 30,000 entries nationwide, Onion Creek Elementary of Onion Creek School District #30 in Colville, Washington received the votes needed to take home the 2016 grand prize.  The district is made up of one school with 50 students, and uses its rural environment as a hands-on learning lab. On May 5, Discovery Education and the Nutrients for Life Foundation will host the Let It Grow Contest grand prize winner assembly at Onion Creek School featuring interactive science activities for students, educators and community members to experience. At the conclusion of the assembly, the school will be presented with a $5,000 check. Additionally, Onion Creek School will receive a half-day of professional development with a Nutrients for Life Foundation Regional Representative, introduction to a local agronomist, and Nutrients for Life Foundation prize pack.

“Onion Creek is thrilled to have been chosen as the grand prize winner of the Let It Grow Contest,” said Patsy Guglielmino, Superintendent/Principal, Onion Creek School District #30. “From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil provides fun activities that enhance students’ understanding about how science is a fundamental part of our everyday life, and I encourage middle school educators across the country to integrate these resources into their classroom instruction.”

In addition to Onion Creek Elementary, five runner-up schools will each receive a $1,000 agricultural grant and Nutrients for Life Foundation prize pack. These schools include:

  • Addlestone Hebrew Academy in Charleston, South Carolina
  • Allendale Elementary School of Allendale Community Consolidated School District # 17 in Allendale, Illinois
  • Hope Special Education Center of Anaheim Union High School District in Buena Park, California
  • Oakhurst Seventh-day Adventist Christian School in Oakhurst, California
  • Riverside Middle School of Anderson School District 4 in Pendleton, South Carolina

Launched in 2013, From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil offers middle school students, educators and families a suite of comprehensive digital resources including standards-aligned interactive lesson plans, digital explorations, bilingual family activities and agricultural career profiles. Designed to highlight the importance of soil, its nutrients and the science behind sustainable plant and crop growth, these resources are available at no cost and engage students of all learning styles.

“We congratulate the community of Onion Creek Elementary for its active engagement throughout the contest that garnered the grand prize,” said Nutrients for Life Foundation Chairman and Simplot Agribusiness President Garrett Lofto.  “We are proud to award this $5,000 agriculture grant to help these students learn more about growing plants and the need for crop nutrients for healthy plants.”

“Discovery Education is committed to providing students nationwide with engaging, interactive curriculum and resources that make science both relevant and exciting,” said Lori McFarling, Senior Vice President, Discovery Education. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Nutrients for Life Foundation to offer dynamic digital resources and incentive opportunities like the Let It Grow Contest that connect science concepts to real-world examples through unique learning experiences that enhance student achievement.”

To learn more about From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil’s free resources and the Let It Grow Contest please visit: http://www.thescienceofsoil.com/.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 3 million educators and over 30 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.    

About Nutrients for Life
The Nutrients for Life Foundation spearheads the mission to educate students and the public about the importance of responsible fertilizer use in growing healthy crops, increasing food production, and feeding a growing population. Since formation more than ten years ago, the Foundation has reached over 24 million students with resources, such as Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century, the Smithsonian-approved STEM curriculum.  Nutrients for Life’s 2013 partnership with Discovery Education has added a new dimension of innovative, interactive digital resources for the modern classroom.  The Nutrients for Life Foundation is a tax-exempt status organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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