Free Webinar Featuring Renowned Conservationist and Television Personality Jeff Corwin Headlines Discovery Education Earth Day Resources for Educators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
240-662-2893
stephen_wakefield@discovery.com

Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates
608-839-9806
emily@cblohm.com

–Exclusive webinar, presented by The Siemens STEM Academy, complements high-quality digital content offered to educators in celebration of Earth Day–

Silver Spring, Md. (March 16, 2011) –From an exciting live webinar with world-famous conservationist and television personality Jeff Corwin to digital resources featuring Bill Nye, Sid the Science Kid and the MYTHBUSTERS, Discovery Education is offering the dynamic content educators need to teach environmental, sustainability and science topics on Earth Day.

On April 19, 2011 at 1 PM EST, educators and students nationwide are invited to join Corwin for a free webinar offering an in-depth look at last year’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Presented by The Siemens STEM Academy, in partnership with Discovery Education, the College Board and Oak Ridge Associated Universities, this webinar will examine the intricate and widespread ecological effects of the spill on life in the surrounding ecosystem and beyond. Educators registering for this event will receive a lesson plan aligned to national standards to help prepare their classrooms to participate. Click here for more information or to register for this webinar.

In addition to the webinar, Discovery Education’s content team has created a special Earth Day collection of resources available through Discovery Education streaming. Empowering educators to engage students in a dialogue about Earth Day, this “theme page” is home to a dynamic selection of videos, images and articles on topics such as the history of Earth Day and the conservation movement, to help students learn the importance of protecting the world around them.

“An Earth Day observance offers a teachable moment in which educators can engage students at all levels in a variety of science and environmental lessons,” said Kelli Campbell, senior vice president of global product and content strategy for Discovery Education. “Alignment to state and national standards help educators find cross-curricular connections while leveraging the timeliness of the Earth Day celebration.”

Discovery Education is the leading provider of high-quality curriculum based digital content and professional development resources whose services are available in more than half of U.S. schools. Additional digital content related to Earth Day available through Discovery Education streaming and Discovery Education Science educators may wish to use include the following favorites:

Discovery Education streaming:

Jeff Corwin’s Wild Life: Year of the Polar Bear—in this video, Corwin and his film crew travel to the Alaskan tundra to study climate change and its impact on the polar bear. For grade bands 6-8 and 9-12.

The Vanishing Frog with Jeff Corwin—the world’s frogs are vanishing at alarming rates. In this video, Corwin investigates this troubling phenomenon. For grade bands 6-8 and 9-12.

The Magic School Bus: In the Rain Forest—in this classroom classic, The Magic School Bus kids investigate rainforest ecology. For grade band 3-5.

Stuff Happens with Bill Nye: Bathroom—through simple demonstrations, this video provides simple suggestions for going green in the bathroom. For grade bands 6-8 and 9-12.

Discovery Education Science:

Sid the Science Kid: The Dirt on Dirt—in an Earth Day-themed episode, Sid wants to know what makes dirt so dirty. For grade band K-2.

TLC Elementary School: Protecting Our Planet—this video discusses a variety of topics, including erosion, ecosystems and biodiversity. For grade bands 3-5 and 6-8.

MYTHBUSTERS: Energy Conservation: Free Energy—the idea that free energy can be harnessed from the environment is explored by the MYTHBUSTERS. For grade bands 6-8 and 9-12.

For more information about Discovery Education and the Discovery Educator Network, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.

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.

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