Discovery Education and OPEI Expand TurfMutt Science Program to Reach K-5 Classrooms Nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Alana Carchedi, Discovery Education
240-662-2572
alana_carchedi@discovery.com

Caroline March-Long, on Behalf of OPEI
434-295-5938
caroline@fourleafpr.com

– New ‘Spruce Up Your School’ Sweepstakes gives K-5 teachers a chance to win a $5,000 grant to turn their school’s play area into an eco-friendly space –

Silver Spring, Md. and Alexandria, Va. (December 8, 2011) – Discovery Education and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced their science-based TurfMutt (turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com) program has expanded to meet the needs of K-5 educators across the country. The program offers classroom resources for fostering an appreciation of the environment and green spaces through investigation, activities and experiments.

In addition to the new resources, educators can enter the ‘Spruce Up Your School’ Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5,000 grant to give their school`s play area an eco-friendly makeover. Two runners up will receive “Green Packs,” complete with eco-friendly, TurfMutt-branded school supplies for the whole classroom. Educators may enter once a day, every day to increase their chances of winning.

Based on TurfMutt’s tremendous success among 3-5 teachers in its first year, the program has now been expanded to meet the needs of K-2 classrooms. Designed to get students outside investigating the benefits of landscaping and recycling, TurfMutt online lessons and resources help students understand the importance of the green spaces that surround us daily like lawns, flowers, bushes and trees.

“TurfMutt has helped open my students’ eyes to a new way of learning about our nations’ various ecosystems and has inspired them to take a deeper interest in preserving their environment,” said Wendy Palese, a fourth and fifth grade teacher for Mechanicsburg Area School District in Pennsylvania. “The interactive, kid-friendly TurfMutt website is more intriguing than ordinary classroom materials and encourages students to explore and research science beyond what they read about in their textbooks.”

“TurfMutt gives students the unique opportunity to connect what they learn in school to the important environmental choices they make on a daily basis,” said Mary Rollins, Discovery Education vice president of educational partnerships. “We are thrilled to expand the program to all K-5 classrooms to help spark students’ natural interest in science and encourage them to explore their curiosity beyond the walls of their classroom.”

“What’s great about the TurfMutt program is that it reminds students that science is right in their backyard – and all around them as they play outside,” said Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “TurfMutt is filling a need for lessons plans that teach science and get kids outside in nature.”

OPEI and Discovery Education have created a dynamic digital curriculum led by Lucky, a real-life rescue dog who encourages kids to protect the land around them and fosters an appreciation of natural surroundings in their own community. In addition to lesson plans, engaging activities, puzzles and videos, students can enjoy an interactive map about ecosystems across the country. With these resources, teachers can emphasize the benefits of landscaping in balance with local environments, and instill a new appreciation for environmental issues.

Lesson plans can be found at: http://turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com/educators.cfm

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

About OPEI’s Education and Research Efforts
OPEI’s Education and Research efforts focus on developing educational materials, supporting research and furthering programs to foster environmental stewardship and an appreciation of our parks, forests, lawns and landscapes. Priorities revolve around environmental best practices and stewardship in the care and enjoyment of our green spaces and safety education that ensures safe and proper use of outdoor power equipment.

###