This morning at 11:30 a.m. EST, President Obama will issue a call to action to increase science literacy among students nationwide. Answering President Obama's call to action, Discovery Communications today announces a new multimedia, multi-year nationwide initiative called "Be The Future." Over the next five years, Discovery will launch a programming block, education curriculum and tools to inspire student learning and careers in the sciences and support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
The cornerstones include:
- Commercial-Free Kids' Science Block: Science Channel will create and launch a new, commercial-free science educational programming block, which will air Monday-Saturday on the network. Geared toward middle school students, the block is scheduled to launch in 2010.
- STEM Connect: Offered by Discovery Education, this new curriculum-based and career development science resource is a module designed to fuel teacher and classroom engagement by helping students link science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to the real world.
- The Siemens STEM Academy: The program will include the first online, shared repository of STEM best teaching practices, a National Teacher Academy bringing together science educators from across the country, and an ongoing Webinar series featuring leading scientists and experts in their fields. The program will launch on January 1, 2010.
- "Be the Future" PSA: Discovery Communications will create a "Be the Future" public service announcement and campaign, featuring well-known personalities from Discovery's networks discussing the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in everyday life and encouraging students to pursue careers in the sciences.
- Science Education Research Study: Discovery will spearhead a comprehensive research study to understand the critical role media can play in the quest to inspire students to pursue STEM opportunities.
- Discovery Education Annual Student Science Competitions: STEM initiatives also will be woven into Discovery's annual nationwide middle school science competitions, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge and the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/liveto watch a live stream of the President's address this morning.
For more information visit http://science.discovery.com/
