Tech and Learning Magazine released their annual Awards of Excellence this week and guess who made the list? Discovery Education Science for Elementary! Every year, T&L has a panel of 30 educators review nearly one hundred different sites and tools. We’re absolutely honored to have DE Science for Elementary earn an Award of Excellence in the New Products category. You can check out the release here, but keep an eye out for detail in the December awards issue.
Discovery Education and 3M today awarded Marina Dimitrov of Bozeman, Mont., with the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” as winner of the 2009 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Dimitrov was one of 10 finalists who competed today in a series of live science challenges at Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. A student of Sacajawea Middle School, Dimitrov will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value) and a trip to 3M’s global headquarters to meet with some of the world’s best scientists.
Selected from hundreds of students across the country, the finalists tackled live challenges focused on “The Science of Everyday Life,” and used their science prowess to: 1) invent a solution to a common problem using only household items; 2) remove impurities from water; 3) restore an historic icon; and 4) build a tower that can withstand a simulated earthquake. Finalists were evaluated by a panel of judges on their science skills and ability to communicate scientific knowledge. Head judge Steve Jacobs, an accomplished scientist, educator and author, joined a team of scientists from across the country to form the judging panel. Students also worked alongside top scientists from 3M throughout the day.
“Congratulations to Marina, and to all those who participated in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications. “Discovery is proud to show our continued commitment to supporting science education and encouraging the next generation to become leaders in science and technology in America.”
“It’s an exciting moment when you have the opportunity to celebrate science achievement among our country’s top students,” added Robert MacDonald, President, 3M Foundation. “These talented young scientists all represent hope for our future as we work to foster innovation and new discoveries for years to come. We at 3M congratulate them all.”
[Text below from a Discovery Education Press Release]
The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing to examine how technology, innovative education tools, and digital content are transforming and improving education in America. Scott Kinney, Vice President of Outreach and Professional Development for Discovery Education, served as one of seven panelists who testified as to how technology and digital content can improve American education in the future.
Moderated by Chairman George Miller of California, the panel included administrators and educators from various public school districts, the Chief Technology Officer for the White House Office for Science and Technology, and a student from North Carolina.
Citing recent research, Kinney illustrated that students use technology profusely at home, while most are unable to use that same technology in the classroom. Today’s tech-savvy students function by consuming, processing, and learning from media, in many forms simultaneously. Kinney asked the committee to envision an educational system that supported the use of technology in the classroom, therefore, supporting how students learn naturally.
Kinney also highlighted forward-thinking communities and states for their efforts to transform education using technology, including Indianapolis Public Schools for their efforts to integrate digital content into their curriculum, California for its recent initiative to replace textbooks with digital resources, and Texas for similar pending legislation.
In addition, Kinney discussed how professional development is critical to supporting future programs utilizing technology. He explained that district leaders, facilitators and teachers must receive continuous support through subsequent professional development that includes lesson and unit development, modeling, and non-punitive coaching.
With data supporting the benefits of integrating digital media into classroom instruction, Kinney argued the time is now for every level of government and school districts nationwide to accelerate their support for the use of effective digital content in schools. It is only with this continued support that today’s students will reach their full academic potential.
Following the hearing, Discovery Education participated in a special forum in the Capitol’s Rayburn Building, sponsored by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), during which the educational industry showcased the latest products and services.
No, I don’t mean “that” Denny’s . . . I’m talking about the DENnies, the first-ever DEN Awards Ceremony celebrating the awesomeness that is the DEN and recognizing some of our shiniest STARs for everything they bring to our learning community!
Join us for our final DEN webinar of the school year on May 26 at 7 PM ET. We will discuss all things DEN-related and unveil some very special awards to members of the DEN community in our first-ever DENnies Awards Ceremony. Register today!
Join us for our final DEN webinar of the school year on May 26 at 7 PM ET. We will discuss all things DEN-related and unveil some very special awards to members of the DEN community in our first-ever DENnies Awards Ceremony. Register today!
“We are grateful to the team at ComputED Learning Center for this recognition,” said Kelli Campbell, Senior Vice President of Content and Product Development for Discovery Education. “We strive to create not only outstanding instructional tools such as Discovery Education streaming and Discovery Education Science for Elementary, but also programs like the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge and the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which ignite student curiosity and engage students in learning.”
So join me in congratulating my colleagues here at Discovery Education on winning two more very prestigious awards!
Via RSS
Tech and Learning Magazine released their annual Awards of Excellence this week and guess who made the list? Discovery Education Science for Elementary! Every year, T&L has a panel of 30 educators review nearly one hundred different sites and tools. We’re absolutely honored to have DE Science for Elementary earn an Award of Excellence in the New Products category. You can check out the release here, but keep an eye out for detail in the December awards issue.
Discovery Education and 3M today awarded Marina Dimitrov of Bozeman, Mont., with the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” as winner of the 2009 
