[NMScience] FW: NEWS - Calling All Scientists: Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge

Tue Mar 18 14:05:54 MDT 2008

For teachers of grades 5-8.

Mary Jo Daniel, Ph.D.

Science Specialist

Math and Science Bureau

New Mexico Public Education Department

300 Don Gaspar

Santa Fe, NM  87501

Phone:  (505) 476-1882

Fax:  (505) 827-1784

________________________________

Reaching out to middle school students during the critical years when
research indicates their interest in science begins to fade, Discovery
Education and 3M have released a call for entries to the 2008 Young
Scientist Challenge.  Officially open for submissions through June 15,
2008, Discovery Education has broadened this year's competition to
include all 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders nationwide.  In addition,
students will be challenged to create a 1-2 minute video about a
specific scientific concept, which they will select from a list of
concepts provided by YSC judges and all concepts will relate to the 2008
YSC theme, "The Science of Space."

If you need more information about the Discovery Education/3M 2008 Young
Scientist Challenge, please let me know.

Best,

Charlene

608-839-9801

charlene at cblohm.com

Calling All Scientists:

Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge Announces Call For
Entries

3M Joins Discovery Education to Host Premier National Science
Competition for all

Middle School Students Nationwide

Silver Spring, MD (March 18, 2008) - Discovery Education and 3M have
joined forces to present the 2008 Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist
Challenge, which is officially open for submissions through June 15.  3M
joins the Young Scientist Challenge, the nation's premier science
competition for middle school students, as it heads into its 10th year
of nurturing the next generation of American scientists.  The Discovery
Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge reaches out to students during
the critical years when research indicates that their interest in
science begins to fade, encouraging them to explore everyday scientific
concepts and creatively share their findings with peers.

In 1999, Discovery Communications launched the Young Scientist Challenge
in response to evidence that academic performance and interest among
American students declines dramatically beginning in middle school.  The
Young Scientist Challenge is open to all 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders
nationwide.

"The Young Scientist Challenge is an example of Discovery Education's
long-standing commitment to science education," said Bill Goodwyn,
President of Discovery Education.  "This competition is especially
important for students who were enthusiastic about science in elementary
school, and who need encouragement to deepen their interest in
scientific inquiry as they approach high school and college."

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 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. 

"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."

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).

A student's innovative use of everyday technology to communicate
scientific knowledge is a key component of the 2008 Discovery
Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge.  Since its inception, the
competition's philosophy has been that scientific knowledge is most
valuable and effective when shared.  As part of their entry, this year's
Young Scientist Challenge competitors will shoot 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.

In the past nine years, more than 540,000 middle school students have
been nominated to participate in the competition and nine exceptional
young people have been honored as "America's Top Young Scientist of the
Year" - the student who has the best understanding of, and ability to
communicate, key scientific concepts.  Winners have gone on to appear on
local and national television, speak in front of members of Congress,
work with the nation's top scientists and pursue academic careers in
science.

Submission Process

In order to enter, students must be in grades 5 through 8, residing in
the United States, and must submit a video entry online at
www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist.  The competition is open for
entries between now and June 15, 2008.  Students will be challenged to
create a one- to two-minute video about a specific scientific concept,
which they will select from a list of concepts provided by the Young
Scientist Challenge judges.  All concepts will relate to the 2008 Young
Scientist Challenge theme, "The Science of Space."  Each entry must
demonstrate the student's understanding of the scientific concept
explained and his or her comfort level discussing science in general.

Videos do not need to be "produced," as judges are not evaluating
production skills.  Videos may be recorded on cell phones or simple
digital cameras, for example.  In addition, local libraries and schools
may be able to loan cameras to students.  Videos will be screened to
determine whether they meet all entry requirements and will then be
presented to a panel of online judges.

During the summer, judges will review the video submissions and choose
51 semifinalists: one from each state and Washington, D.C.  Winning
entries will be based on the average of scores awarded by a panel of
judges who will be evaluating creativity, persuasiveness, classroom
suitability and content standards.

The Finals

In the fall, 10 finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to
Washington, D.C., for the competition finals, consisting of a series of
individual and team challenges, some of them in front of a live
audience.  These age-appropriate challenges are developed and
administered by Steve Jacobs, a science educator and the Young Scientist
Challenge's head judge.

Finalists will be judged on their communication and scientific problem
solving skills.  At the end of the competition, America's Top Young
Scientist will be awarded a $50,000 savings bond (valued at $25,000
USD).  Other finalists will receive secondary prizes.

For more information about the 2008 Discovery Education/3M Young
Scientist Challenge or to enter the competition, visit
www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist.

For more information on Discovery Education Science, or any other
products and services from Discovery Education, please visit
www.discoveryeducation.com <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>  or call
800-323-9084.

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 www.discoveryeducation.com <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.

# # #

For more information, please contact:

--Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education, 240-662-2893,
stephen_wakefield at discovery.com

--Glenn Carter, 3M , 651-737-0687, gacarter1 at mmm.com

-- 

Charlene Blohm ----------------------- C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.

Public Relations & Marketing Consulting for Educational Publishers
411 West Oak St., Cottage Grove, WI  53527-9399
608-839-9800 main, -9801 direct, -9808 fax * 210-602-1444 mobile
charlene at cblohm.com **** www.cblohm.com <http://www.cblohm.com/> 

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