Discovery Communications and 3M Announce Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge

Discovery Communications and 3M Announce Discovery Education/3M Young
Scientist Challenge
- Celebrating 10th Anniversary Year, Premier National Science Competition is
Open to All Middle School Students Nationwide -

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Communications
proudly announces that 3M has signed on as the title sponsor of the Discovery
Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge through 2010. 3M joins forces with
Discovery Education, the company's division dedicated to transforming
classrooms and inspiring teachers with engaging content and services that
measure and improve student achievement, in a quest to nurture the next
generation of American scientists with an innovative and interactive science
program open to every middle school student in America.
Celebrating the milestone of its 10th Anniversary, the Young Scientist
Challenge is the nation's premier science competition for middle schoolers
targeting students in the years when research indicates their interest in
science begins to fade and encouraging them to explore scientific concepts and
creatively communicate their findings. The Young Scientist Challenge has
evolved to harness the power of the Internet to reach every middle school
student in America and, for the first time ever, all fifth, sixth, seventh and
eighth graders are able to make their case directly for why they should be
named "America's Top Young Scientist of 2008."
A student's innovative use of everyday technology to communicate
scientific knowledge is a vital component of the 2008 Discovery Education/3M
Young Scientist Challenge. The competition's philosophy is that scientific
knowledge is most valuable and effective when shared. As part of their entry,
Young Scientist competitors will create short videos demonstrating their
understanding of a scientific concept, modeling the same techniques creative
educators across the country use when they employ digital media to convey
critical or complex concepts to students. This July, 51 semifinalists, one
from each state and Washington, D.C., will be announced. Ten finalists will be
selected to travel to Washington, D.C., October 4 through 7, to compete for
the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."
3M is, at its core, a science-based company committed to developing
innovative technologies that produce thousands of imaginative products. This
commitment has also fostered the desire to deepen an interest in the sciences
and ignite a spirit of innovation in students nationwide. In addition to
sponsoring the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge through 2010,
3M is providing 200 schools across the country access to Discovery Education
Science, the comprehensive multimedia resource that supplements existing
school curriculum with high-quality digital science content in a flexible
online format.
As a diversified technology company, 3M understands the value of science
and math education supporting youth development. For decades, 3M scientists
and engineers have shared their enthusiasm for science and sparked student
interest in science careers through several 3M-sponsored Science Encouragement
Programs: Science Training Encouragement Program (STEP); Visiting Wizards;
Technical Teams Encouraging Career Horizons (TECH); and Teachers Working in
Science and Technology (TWIST).
"Our partnership with Discovery Education provides yet another platform to
cultivate interest in science among students across the country," said Robert
MacDonald, president, 3M Foundation. "As a bedrock of innovation, it is
critical for companies like 3M to nurture such curiosities and talents for our
future, and we are very proud to do so with Discovery."
"3M's sponsorship of the Young Scientist Challenge aligns two powerful
brands deeply committed to educating the next generation of scientific
thinkers," said Bill Goodwyn, President of Discovery Education. "Together, 3M
and Discovery Education hope to nurture and encourage middle school students'
interest in scientific inquiry as they approach high school and college."
For more information or to enter the Discovery Education/3M Young
Scientist Challenge, visit http://www.DiscoveryEducation.com/YoungScientist.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Communications revolutionized television with the Discovery
Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education.
Powered by the #1 non-fiction media company in the world, Discovery Education
combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic
user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement.
Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital
services. Explore the future of education at
http://www.DiscoveryEducation.com.
About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of
innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is
applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms -- often in
combination -- to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales,
3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60
countries.
SOURCE Discovery Communications; 3M

Tammy Shea, +1-240-662-6506, tammy_shea@discovery.com, or Anna Duerr,
+1-240-662-6502, anna_duerr@discovery.com, both of Discovery Education; or
Glenn Carter of 3M, +1-651-737-0687, gacarter1@mmm.com