Discovery Education is marking Earth Day, coming up on April 22, with a variety of new resources supporting classroom lessons focused on marine science, biodiversity, and conservation.
The new learning tools, which are aligned to state standards, have been added to Discovery Education’s website as well as its services, Discovery Education Streaming Plus and the Discovery Education Science Techbook.
Among the new resources is content on climate change and extinction.
See the full press release below.
DISCOVERY EDUCATION OBSERVES EARTH DAY WITH VIRTUAL EXPEDITION AND EXCLUSIVE NEW DIGITAL RESOURCES SUPPORTING K-12 SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
– Compelling Digital Content, Including Exclusive Under the Sea Footage from Ocean First Education, Inspires Students’ Curiosity in Science and Encourages Appreciation for the Environment –
Silver Spring, Md. (April 4, 2016) – Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, is helping educators nationwide observe Earth Day with a variety of dynamic new resources supporting classroom lessons focused on marine science, biodiversity, conservation, and other critical science topics. These new learning tools, which have been reviewed by Discovery Education’s expert curriculum team and are aligned to state standards, have been added to Discovery Education’s website as well as its award-winning services, Discovery Education Streaming Plus and the Discovery Education Science Techbook™.
Among the new resources available is an exciting underwater expedition created in partnership with Ocean First Education. During this unique experience, students will study the biodiversity of the coral reefs of the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific Oceans, and learn how shifting land masses impacted the number and types of organisms in these regions. Appropriate for grades K-12, the expedition features interviews with Ocean First Education founder Graham Casden, director of science and research Caine Delacy, and director of curriculum development Catherine E. Christopher, who discuss marine ecology and biology, the effects of mankind and evolution on our oceans, and the role students can play in protecting the health of our ocean for future generations. It also features Ocean First Education video and photographs from underwater research dives around the world. This expedition, as well as grade-band specific classroom resources that can be integrated into instruction to support Earth Day-related lessons, is available to educators at no cost at http://www.discoveryeducation.com/EarthDay2016/.
Educators using these resources will receive a free, 60-day trial of Discovery Education’s Science Techbook. In addition, on April 22, from 1:00 – 1:30 PM ET, Discovery Education and Ocean First Education will host a “Meet The Marine Experts” Twitter chat. Tune in to @DiscoveryEd on Twitter with the hashtag #EarthDay2016 for a live question and answer session with Ocean First Education’s team of experts.
Discovery Education has also added new digital resources supporting science instruction to its award-winning services. The following content has been added to the Discovery Education Science Techbook to support educators as they engage students in science topics as part of their Earth Day observances:
Full Racing Extinction documentary – Discovery Channel’s Racing Extinction documentary examines the loss of biodiversity, and its effect on humanity, and solutions that inspire hope for a more sustainable future. Students will be inspired to think beyond the walls of their classroom to tackle some of our planet’s most critical issues. This content is suitable for use with students in grades 6-12.
Rodney Raccoon Goes Green – Produced by Wayout Kids and Smith Show Entertainment, this content uses musical numbers and roundtable discussions to communicate ways to stay green, and helps students learn environmentally friendly habits. This content is suitable for use with students in grades K-5.
Weather Things: Climate and Climate Change – This content, produced by Metstorm, examines the effects of natural and human-caused climate change, including a profile on carbon dioxide and the warming oceans. Students can learn how climate change is measured and ways to keep the earth in balance. This content is suitable for use with students in grades 6-8.
Polar Bears International Virtual Field Trip – Produced by Discovery Education, this archived virtual field trip presents a discussion between a group of Arctic researchers about the disappearance of sea ice in the Arctic. Students will gain knowledge of the effect this phenomenon has on the polar bear population. This content is suitable for use with students in grades K-12.
In addition, new content from the following leading publishers and content providers is now available to Discovery Education Streaming Plus subscribers:
Wilderness Productions: In 23 newly-added titles from Discovery Digital Network’s series Breaking Trail with Coyote Peterson, students will embark on a virtual journey through nature, bringing them up-close with wildlife in some of the most amazing environments throughout North America. Along the way, students will encounter everything from manatees to iguanas while learning more about the biological science behind their behavior and appearance along the way. This content is suitable for use with students in grades K-8.
Bennett-Watt Entertainment: These 21 new titles from Discoveries America National Parks explore the National Park Service and the magnificent resources they protect. Students will be transported to some of the most famous locations across the United States and learn about the historical context behind these national monuments and memorials. This content is suitable for use with students in grades 3-12.
FortunaPIX: In 28 fascinating 3D videos, abstract concepts are transformed into visually engaging learning experiences for students, exploring a variety of science topics including plants and seeds, geology, and the internal structure of Earth, among others. This content is suitable for use with students in grades 6-12.
“Discovery Education’s compelling digital content helps me connect Earth Day to the scientific topics my class is currently engaged in,” said Margie Rogers, technology integration specialist at Waynesville R-VI School District in Missouri. “I plan to integrate these resources into my existing lessons, as they will help me bring science concepts to life for my students in a way a textbook cannot.”
“Earth Day is the perfect opportunity for students and teachers to engage in scientific questions related to our planet and the environment,” said Kelli Campbell, senior vice president and digital learning officer at Discovery Education. “We are proud to support educators with relevant, up-to-date digital resources that will inspire students to study our planet and be wise stewards of our natural resources.”
For more information on Discovery Education Streaming Plus, Discovery Education Science Techbook and other Discovery Education services and initiatives, visit www.discoveryeducation.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, over 40 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 Ocean First Education
Founded in 2008 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Ocean First Education provides innovative and dynamic online marine science courses for middle school through adult learners. Our team of educators, scientists and researchers are committed to increasing awareness of marine environments and engaging students through interactive experiences. Ocean First Education is grounded in its mission to inspire our students, teachers and community to become stewards of the sea. For more information, visit www.OceanFirstEducation.com.