SILVER SPRING, Md.,
May 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and
professional development for K-12 classrooms, and the Nutrients for
Life Foundation, an educational non-profit that teaches students
and the public about the vital role soil nutrients play in growing
our world, announced the winners of the 2017 Let It Grow
Contest today. The contest, now in its second year, awards more
than $10,000 in prizes to six middle
schools nationwide as part of From the Ground Up: The Science of
Soil, an education initiative that offers middle school
students a broadened perspective of the importance of soil science.
Educators, parents and community members were invited to enter the
Let It Grow Contest by answering soil-related questions and
voting daily for a middle school of their choice.
Out of more than 40,000 entries nationwide, St. Mary's School
of Bellevue, NE received the
votes needed to take home the 2017 grand prize.
"It is incredible to have St. Mary's School named the grand
prize winner of the Let It Grow Contest," said Dr. Trish Wallinger, Principal, St. Mary's School.
"From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil has allowed our classrooms
to dig into the science all around us with fun activities. I would
absolutely encourage middle school educators across the country to
include these resources into their classroom instruction to explore
the role agriculture plays in providing nutrition and sustenance to
our communities."
In addition to St. Mary's School, five runner-up schools will
each receive a $1,000 agricultural
grant. These schools include:
- Hawley Middle School in
Hawley, TX
- Central Middle School in Eunice,
LA
- Academy for Change in Chino,
CA
- Sunrise School in Monroeville,
PA
- Blacklick Valley Junior Senior High School in Nanty Glo, PA
On Wednesday, May 24, 2017,
Discovery Education and the Nutrients for Life Foundation will host
the Let It Grow Contest grand prize winner assembly at St.
Mary's School featuring interactive science activities for
students, educators and community members to experience. Following
the assembly, the school will be presented with a check.
Additionally, St. Mary's School will receive an introduction to a
local agronomist as part of their grand prize.
"Learning about crop nutrients and their vital role in food
production is something these students will take with they as they
grow. Through our partnership with Discovery Education, we are able
to make these concepts of plant growth and soil health come alive,"
said Nutrients for Life Executive Director Harriet Wegmeyer. "We are pleased to see so many
students, educators and community members using these resources and
learning!"
Launched in 2013, From the Ground Up: The Science of
Soil offers middle school students, educators and families a
suite of comprehensive digital resources including
standards-aligned interactive lesson plans, digital explorations,
bilingual family activities and agricultural career profiles.
Designed to highlight the importance of soil, its nutrients and the
science behind sustainable plant and crop growth, these resources
are available at no cost and engage students of all learning
styles.
"Discovery Education is proud to continue our partnership with
the Nutrients for Life Foundation and salutes the winners of this
contest which is part of a larger effort to give students a deeper
understanding of core science concepts as they discover the complex
world of soils," said Lori
McFarling, senior vice president, Discovery Education. "From
the Ground Up: The Science of Soil is an award-winning program that
brings STEM to life through interactive curriculum and resources
that engage today's learners."
To learn more about From the Ground Up: The Science of
Soil's free resources and the Let It Grow Contest please
visit: http://www.thescienceofsoil.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 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.
About Nutrients for Life
The Nutrients for Life
Foundation spearheads the mission to educate students and the
public about the importance of responsible fertilizer use in
growing healthy crops, increasing food production, and feeding a
growing population. Since formation more than ten years ago, the
Foundation has reached over 24 million students with resources,
such as Nourishing the Planet in the 21st
Century, the Smithsonian-approved STEM curriculum.
Nutrients for Life's 2013 partnership with Discovery Education has
added a new dimension of innovative, interactive digital resources
for the modern classroom. The Nutrients for Life Foundation
is a tax-exempt status organization described in Section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
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SOURCE Discovery Education