Stanley Black & Decker and Discovery Education Invite High School Students to Win $30,000 in Prizes from the Trade Champions Challenge

Silver Spring, Md. (Monday, December 13, 2021) – Supporting students on their pathway to STEM success, Stanley Black & Decker and Discovery Education invite students to join the new Trade Champions Challenge. The Challenge introduces students to the unique opportunities offered through trade careers, encouraging them to consider a new career or education path. Participation in the Challenge is supported by a suite of digital resources to make student engagement possible in an in-person or virtual learning environment.

The Trade Champions Challenge asks high school students to create a 30-60 second video explaining to their peers why they aspire to be a trade professional. Open through April 15, 2022, the entries will be judged on content, effective communication, and presentation skills by a panel of educators, as well as Discovery Education and Stanley Black & Decker representatives. Each of the top three winners will receive a Stanley Black & Decker prize pack, in addition to $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place aimed at supporting their continued education. Learn more about the Trade Champions Challenge here.

The Trade Champions Challenge builds upon a Stanley Black & Decker and Discovery Education educational program – Innovation Generation – igniting, engaging, and empowering students to become makers through no-cost dynamic digital resources. Through real-world explorations in STEM, Innovation Generation cultivates students’ collaboration, problem solving, and creative thinking.…Read More

Oregon Department of Education Expands Availability of YouScience Discovery, Bringing Aptitude-Based Career Guidance to 180 Schools Across the State

AMERICAN FORK, Utah, Nov. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — YouScience, the only provider of a fully-integrated platform that delivers highly accurate aptitude-based assessments, personalized career guidance, and industry-recognized certifications, announced today that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has expanded its pilot of YouScience Discovery, its chosen aptitude-based career guidance tool, free of charge, to 180 middle and high schools across Oregon.

YouScience Discovery was originally piloted to 25 Oregon middle schools earlier this year. Upon successful testimonies from teachers and district leaders, and with their current pathway programs filling up to capacity, the ODE decided to expand the pilot. With the expansion, now more students can be empowered by discovering their natural abilities, be directed into education and career areas that align with their aptitudes, and be exposed to in-demand jobs. 

Through YouScience, students are often introduced to careers they may not have been familiar with – helping to eliminate any natural biases and opening doors to previously unconsidered opportunities. Additionally, schools and districts are able to ensure that educational programs offered in schools match in-demand jobs in their areas.

“We’re dedicated to helping students uncover their natural abilities. This not only boosts their self-confidence, but also helps them reach their full potential in both their education and future careers. We’re proud to be working with the ODE to bring YouScience Discovery to more Oregon students across the state,” said Edson Barton, founder and CEO, YouScience.

YouScience Discovery is built on learnings from 50-plus years of scientific research, and delivers the most accurate aptitude assessment and career guidance solution on the market. While most career tests on the market only provide insights on an individual’s interests or personalities, YouScience Discovery delves into a person’s true abilities, enabling more personal, accurate and actionable career guidance. 

“We were seeing great success with our students in using YouScience Discovery (combining aptitude and interest) in determining their educational and career pathways,” said Jim Taylor, Career Education and Human Resources Education Specialist, Office of Teaching, Learning & Assessment, Oregon Department of Education. “YouScience also helped us identify gaps in our curriculum. Now we are able to see the population of students who have aptitudes in certain areas and ensure we have the educational programs that match these aptitudes for them to succeed.” 

“With YouScience we’re able to get students – as early as middle school – on the right educational pathway that match their natural talents so they can have a successful career in the future,” said Karla Clark, CC4A/STEAM Project Manager, Southern Oregon Education Service District. “YouScience is helping to close the career gap and increase access and equity for our students. Everyone who has tried has loved it.” 

About YouScience
YouScience is the only provider of a fully-integrated platform that delivers highly accurate aptitude-based assessments, personalized career guidance, and industry-recognized certifications, empowering individuals in their educational and career pathways. Leveraging proven research and industry input, YouScience helps individuals identify their natural talents, validate their skills and knowledge, and get matched with real-world educational and career pathways in high-demand occupations. YouScience is the preferred choice of individuals, parents, educators, and counselors to guide and support educational and career pathways, currently serving more than 7,000 educational institutions and nearly one million users.

The STEM Careers Coalition Marks Second Anniversary with Expanded Career Readiness Resources and New Industry Partners Joining National Effort to Improve Student Outcomes

SILVER SPRING, MD (Monday, December 6, 2021) – The  STEM Careers Coalition™ – the first-of-its-kind national STEM initiative powered by corporate and non-profit leaders and anchored in schools by  Discovery Education – marks its second anniversary by welcoming new members and offering educators, students, and families nationwide an expanded collection of no-cost digital resources. To date, the STEM Careers Coalition™ has reached more than 4.5 million students in its mission to build the next generation of diverse STEM solution-seekers. 

Building upon the dynamic array of hands-on resources, the Coalition is introducing new experiences to further support students’ career preparedness. Designed to engage high schoolers in the world of STEM, these interactive resources help students focus on their career goals with simple strategies, roadmaps, and other easy-to-use digital tools. Created in partnership with NAF, a national network of education, business, and community leaders dedicated to supporting student outcomes and future readiness in high-need communities, this robust series of post-secondary exploration activities connects classroom learning to careers and provides tools to help students build professional identities and digital presence. 

The partners of the STEM Careers Coalition™ share a common goal of empowering educators to teach STEM effectively in the classroom with an intentional focus on racial and gender equity. Representing a range of industry sectors, the STEM Careers Coalition™ seeks to prepare 10 million students for the future of work by 2025 by providing equitable access to digital content and experiences that engage students in instruction, build foundational STEM knowledge, and develop the critical skills students need for college and career success. In 2021, the Coalition welcomed new members Stanley Black & Decker, NAF, Sanofi, DuPont, AstraZeneca, Keysight Technologies, and Capital Power. View the complete list of STEM Career Coalition™ partners  here…Read More

American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Discovery Education Partner to Unlock Student Success Through Engineering

Silver Spring, Md. (Monday, December 2, 2021)Discovery Education and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) have launched Engineering Dreams, an educational initiative designed to engage K-12 students nationwide in the biggest challenges of today while helping them unlock future success through engineering. Engineering Dreams offers educators and students a variety of interactive, standards-aligned learning resources to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers, risk takers and ethical problem-solvers.

To help every community celebrate the “E” in STEM, Engineering Dreams offers educators a video topic series, “Problem-Solvers for Good,” that explores engineering-based solutions to local community challenges that have the promise of positive global impact.

“ASME champions equitable access to unique and impactful K-12 STEM education content and experiences that are intentionally designed to reach students chronically underrepresented in STEM,” says ASME Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile, P.E. “This collaboration with Discovery Education is a critical lynchpin in ASME’s overall DEI strategy to foster a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of students eager to pursue engineering. Many of our diverse talented members are storytellers who can fill a critical gap in representation by sharing real-world examples of engineers and engineering that resonate with students.”…Read More

Head into the Holiday Season with New Dynamic Digital Experiences from Discovery Education and Social Impact Partners

Silver Spring, MD (Wednesday, December 1, 2021) — To support continued student engagement anywhere during the winter holiday breaks, Discovery Education and leading social impact partners are introducing new flexible and engaging learning resources. Designed to connect students to their innate curiosity and unite communities around learning, the dynamic array of no-cost content spans all K-12 disciplines. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.

Aligned to applicable learning standards, the new curated content supports educators’ work to bring the world to life while also connecting the classroom to careers and uniting families around learning. Among the resources from Discovery Education and educational initiatives created in collaboration with leading social impact partners are:

Virtual Field Trip
Premiere: December 9th at 1 PM EST…Read More

5 principles for an equitable SEL initiative

According to a recent report, fewer than one in four teachers say social-emotional learning (SEL) is implemented in their school on a programmatic, schoolwide basis.

More than two decades of research proves that SEL yields positive results for students, adults, and school communities. The pandemic and its impact on education emphasizes the need for curated, vetted SEL resources that educators can use to support the whole child–regardless of the learning environment.

Initiatives like the Social-Emotional Learning Coalition–which is created in partnership between Discovery Education, The Allstate Foundation, The National Afterschool Association, and Responsibility.org–are working to address the needs of students and educators by improving access to resources that support the integration of SEL into core instruction. To achieve this, the Coalition follows five guiding principles, which schools and district leaders can also follow to create an SEL framework that’s both equitable and impactful. Those principles are:…Read More

Delaware Department of Education, DuPont and Discovery Education Launch First-of-Its-Kind Partnership Supporting STEM, Career, and Technical Education Statewide

DOVER, Del., Nov. 22, 2021 – The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), DuPont (NYSE: DD) and Discovery Education today announced a new, first-of-its-kind partnership that will increase student access to high-quality STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) instructional resources, as well as instructional materials and other supports to enhance career and technical education programs across the state. The three-year partnership program directly supports the Delaware Pathways initiative — an innovative effort helping students develop the academic, technical, and employability skills needed for successful, in-demand jobs across Delaware.

“Acquiring academic knowledge, technical skills, and meaningful work experience gives students the freedom to choose their life’s path,” said Delaware Secretary of Education Susan Bunting. “This new partnership provides Delaware students an even better opportunity to develop the skills needed for the careers of tomorrow. Thus, I look forward to supporting the progress of this exciting new collaboration.”

“Connecting what is being taught in the classroom to Delaware employers is critical,” said Luke Rhine, Director, Career & Technical Education and STEM Initiatives at the Delaware Department of Education. “The resources provided through this partnership will support middle school and high school teachers as they build bridges between classrooms and careers for all students. We are thankful for partners like DuPont who share our goals related to STEM- and career-focused education.”…Read More

Arkansas’ Corning School District Enters New Age of Digital Science Instruction Through Partnership with Discovery Education

SILVER SPRING, MD (Tuesday, November 9, 2021)—Arkansas’  Corning School District (CSD) is entering a new age of digital teaching and learning through a partnership with  Discovery Education. Through this new collaboration, educators districtwide have begun integrating Discovery Education’s award-winning suite of digital resources into science instruction for all students in grades 3-8 as well as grade 10.  With these exciting new resources, CSD’s students are connecting to their inner curiosity in new ways through engaging digital learning experiences investigating the mysteries of the universe. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.   

Located in northeastern Arkansas, the Corning School District provides comprehensive education for approximately 900 prekindergarten through grade 12 students and is accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education and AdvancED.  With a graduation rate in the top 1% of Arkansas school districts, CSD prides itself on preparing students for success beyond graduation.    

To support CSD’s continuing efforts to prepare students for college and career success, the school system sought to enhance their science curriculum. Following a careful review process, CSD selected two resources from Discovery Education for use.  Those resources are: …Read More

Edge at Hudson Yards and Discovery Education Launch New Partnership Empowering Students to Engineer STEM Dreams

Silver Spring, Md. (Monday, November 1, 2021) – Edge at Hudson Yards and Discovery Education today announced a new educational initiative – Reach for the Sky – that shows students nationwide the transformative power of STEM during a virtual trip to the tallest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.

This new initiative – Reach for the Sky – features engaging digital educational resources and a Virtual Field Trip for students in grades 4-12. With an array of no-cost content, students discover how big ideas and cutting-edge technology can be combined to improve lives and revolutionize communities. Premiering November 4th  at 1 PM ET, The Future is Now Virtual Field Trip takes students on a virtual adventure into NYC’s newest and most forward-thinking neighborhood and the incredible observation deck where marvels of modern engineering elevate the possibilities of everyday life to extraordinary heights. Students will explore new horizons in community-building as they journey 1,131 ft into the air to Edge, the highest outdoor skydeck in the Western hemisphere, for an unparalleled 360° view of the city and a behind-the-scenes look at amazing innovations of architecture and engineering. Throughout the Virtual Field Trip, students will hear from various leaders about the STEM, history, and social impact of the new gravity-defying structure. Learn more about this event and register here.

“Hudson Yards was always envisioned as an innovative center for engaging sustainable neighborhoods of the future and a place for discovery and adventure,” said Haley Ward, Vice President of Sales at Hudson Yards Experiences. “We are proud to partner with Discovery Education to inspire the next generation of inventors and visionaries through this one-of-a-kind STEM learning experience at Edge.”…Read More

Discovery Education and Social Impact Partners Offer Communities No-Cost Digital Learning Resources Supporting STEM Day Observances Nationwide

Silver Spring, MD (Wednesday, November 3, 2021) — Discovery Education and leading social impact partners are offering engaging, no-cost digital learning resources to students, teachers, and families to support National STEM Day observances nationwide. Held annually on November 8th, National STEM Day unites communities in celebrating the importance of teaching science, technology, engineering, and math to students in grades K-12. Discovery Education is the worldwide EdTech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.

Discovery Education offers educators, students, and families hundreds of no-cost resources tailored to STEM teaching and learning where it takes place. Among the content are resources from educational initiatives created in collaboration with leading social impact partners, such as:

STEM Careers Coalition™ –  Afterschool and Post-Secondary Resources
A coalition of industry partners – such as Caterpillar Foundation, ASME, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Boeing, American Petroleum Institute, Chevron, and Stanley Black & Decker – collaborates with Discovery Education to create a culture of STEM education in K-12 schools nationwide. By empowering educators to teach STEM effectively in the classroom and fostering equity and access to quality education, the  STEM Careers Coalition is building the next generation of solution-seekers. Among the new resources now available to educators, parents, and families are a series of afterschool and post-secondary resources. Created in partnership with industry leaders, these resources further support teachers’ efforts to integrate STEM teaching and learning into instruction with ready-made activities featuring step-by-step educator guides suitable for the classroom, the remote environment, or wherever learning is taking place.…Read More

New Sora Showcase Turns Any Touchscreen Display into Kiosk for Student Discovery of Digital Books

CLEVELAND – October 29, 2021 – As schools embrace the digital shift and rely more on digital books to support learning outcomes, educators are searching for creative ways to drive awareness and usage. Now, educators can use Sora Showcase, free touchscreen software that promotes student discovery, adoption and usage of their school’s digital book collection. Sora is the leading student reading app available to over 50,000 schools worldwide.

Sora Showcase is free customizable software that lets schools turn any touchscreen display – large or small – into a promotional kiosk that highlights books in their Sora collection. Students can browse their school’s collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines, enjoy samples of titles, and generate QR codes to  easily borrow titles in the Sora app. The display also includes a QR code to immediately install the app on their own device and start reading.

“Sora Showcase couldn’t have come along at a better time since we are getting ready to roll out our new digital collection,” said Sally McAlexander, Librarian at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Missouri. “Sora Showcase is generating so much excitement in our students, and we plan on having it rolling during parent-teacher conferences to connect our community with our digital collection. The step-by-step instructions allowed me to get this operational in just a few minutes.”…Read More

3M Names America’s Top Young Scientist of 2021:14-Year-Old Sarah Park, for Music Therapy Treatment to Improve Mental Health

St. Paul, Minn. and Silver Spring, Md. (Friday, October 22, 2021) 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) have named 14-year-old Sarah Park from Jacksonville, Fla. the winner of the 2021 3M Young Scientist Challenge ( #YoungScientist), the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Sarah created Spark Care+, an innovation that personalizes music therapy treatment for mental health improvement using artificial intelligence (AI), skin response (GSR) and photoplethysmography (PPG). As the 3M Young Scientist Challenge grand prize winner, Sarah received a $25,000 cash prize, the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist,” and a special destination trip.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge aligns with 3M’s commitment to fostering the next generation of science leaders, and exemplifies how a quality STEM education can get young people interested and excited about science as a way to improve lives all around the world,” said Dr. Denise Rutherford, senior vice president and chief corporate affairs officer at 3M. “Against the backdrop of an ongoing global pandemic, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists have each shown how grit, determination, resiliency, innovative thinking, and the scientific process come together to create truly incredible innovations with the potential to address major global challenges. 3M is inspired by these young inventors, and we celebrate their accomplishments. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Sarah Park, and to all our 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists. We thank you for inspiring us through your efforts.”  

The global pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health – negatively affecting millions of people and creating new barriers for people already suffering from mental health disorders. For her project, Sarah developed SparkCare+ as an efficient, affordable, portable, and personalized music therapy for mental health improvement. SparkCare+ is made up of two components: a communication with the participant, and a mechanism that uses deep neural networks to select therapeutic music.…Read More