Discovery Education Expands Partnership with Texas’ Greenville Independent School District to Support New K-5 STEM Magnet School Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education240-662-5563 Stephen_Wakefield@discovery.com -Adoption of Science Digital Textbook and STEMformation Professional Development Initiative Empowers Educators to Create Innovative Learning Environments- Silver Spring, Md. (Feb. 23, 2017) – Texas’ Greenville Independent School District (GISD) announced today an expansion of their ongoing partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. In this new phase of collaboration, Discovery Education will support the creation of modern learning environments in the district’s new K-5 STEM Magnet School. Set to open in the fall of 2017, educators at the district’s K-5 STEM Magnet School will be empowered to create a culture of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) teaching and learning with a unique combination of dynamic digital textbooks and sustained job-embedded professional development. Discovery Education’s partnership with Greenville ISD supporting STEM education began in 2016 when the STEMformation professional development initiative was launched in the district’s Carver, Crockett and Travis Elementary Schools. The deepening of GISD’s partnership with Discovery Education advances the district’s efforts to continuously provide students of every level an exceptional learning environment. In addition, this collaboration helps ensure that all children leave GISD with a strong educational foundation which will allow them to pursue their goals and dreams regardless of personal circumstance, economic status, or learning challenges. As part of this expanded partnership, educators at GISD’s new K-5 STEM Magnet School will also participate in the STEMformation initiative. A comprehensive, three-year system of professional development, STEMformation helps educators strengthen and sustain a culture of STEM at individual school sites and guides educators as they master STEM instructional strategies. With a focus on developing high-quality STEM lessons, creating transdisciplinary lessons and units, and vertically aligning STEM education school-wide, STEMformation provides the robust professional development, job-embedded coaching, and administrative leadership to create a center of STEM excellence. In addition, educators at the new K-5 STEM Magnet School will also be supported by Discovery Education’s Science Techbook™ as they transform STEM teaching and learning. An innovative digital textbook utilizing an inquiry-based format built on the Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate (5E) model, Science Techbook includes rich, standards-aligned content such as video, audio, text, interactives with hands-on activities, and virtual labs that help educators differentiate instruction and provide a rich and engaging learning experience for all students. Embedded formative assessment opportunities help educators monitor student progress, and like all Discovery Education digital textbooks, the Science Techbook works on any device and can be implemented in any instructional setting. The Science Techbook™ also includes a host of valuable STEM resources. STEM Project Starters encourage students to connect math, technology, and engineering to their understanding of science concepts to produce creative solutions to real world problems. In addition, the STEM In Action resources helps students connect their work to STEM careers, which promotes a clearer understanding of how skills used in school can be applied to jobs “in the real world.” Embracing a philosophy of three-dimensional learning, Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks help educators integrate digital resources into their classroom practice. The Model Lessons within the Science Techbooks reflect the interconnectedness of the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) and Cross-Cutting Concepts (CCC) and illustrate what these mean in practice for educators. “At Greenville Independent School District we believe partnerships are vital to a vibrant and exceptional educational system,” said Don Jefferies, Superintendent of the Greenville Independent School District. “We are excited to continue growing our partnership with Discovery Education, as we share a common goal of providing students a broad-based education that prepares them for life and work.” The Discovery Education Community will also continue supporting GISD’s educators in their efforts to transform students’ learning experience with digital media. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing, and inspiration. “Discovery Education is pleased to support the work of the incredibly talented GISD team, and is excited to support the launch of the new K-5 STEM Magnet School this Fall,” said Molly Hebert Loyd, Discovery Education Partnerships Manager. “We look forward to accompanying the district’s educators and administrators on their journey to create innovative learning experiences for all students.” For more information about Discovery Education Science Techbook, STEMformation, or other services and resources from Discovery Education visit www.discoveryeducation.com. ### About Discovery EducationDiscovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.