DISCOVERY EDUCATION AND SCIENCE CHANNEL LAUNCH ONLINE PROGRAM TO TEACH STUDENTS STORYTELLING AND PRESENTATION SKILLS THROUGH AWARD-WINNING CONTENT
-- “Epic Story” Gives Students the Opportunity to Learn from a Science Channel Producer and Use Cutting-Edge Digital Tools to Empower Them to Create and Present Their Own Stories --
September 4, 2014
Silver Spring, Md. (September 4, 2014) - Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content for K-12 classrooms, and Science Channel, the network that dares to question everything, announced today the launch of Epic Story. This online program brings incredible network programming, accomplished producers and student-created content together to provide students with tools that build independent learning skills and teach the art of storytelling. Broken into three parts to engage students through the fall term, Epic Story offers an interactive virtual field trip and hands-on activities that promote research, writing and presentation skills while also reinforcing critical concepts key to achieving state standards.
During the first phase of the program, "Pick One," students across the country are invited to log in to their Discovery Education accounts to view exclusive clips from Science Channel series including: Monster Bug Wars, Outrageous Acts of Science and How the Universe Works. Students are encouraged to vote for their favorite clip to determine the guest executive producer for an Epic Virtual Field Trip. The voting period will occur from September 8th - October 3rd.
The executive producer of the winning clip will participate in phase two, "Hear One," and be featured during Discovery Education's Epic Virtual Field Trip taking place at Discovery Communication's global headquarters on October 15th. During the virtual field trip, the producer will provide students with behind-the-scenes knowledge about the production process for a major network show and exclusive tips that will help them excel in creating their own stories. Students will be able to ask questions and speak directly with the producer in real-time.
Additionally, the virtual field trip will highlight important elements of great storytelling using Discovery Education's Board Builder, an exciting digital tool that allows users to create multimedia stories that include text, photos and video.
"Discovery Education's interactive online programs inspire students to learn in ways that traditional educational resources simply cannot," said Monique Liles, sixth grade teacher at Babb Middle School, Clayton County Schools, GA. "Epic Story is a fantastic resource that provides students with the tools they need to learn how to effectively tell a story and communicate their ideas to others."
Students will then incorporate skills learned from their experience with the virtual field trip to tell their own story in the third phase of Epic Story, "Tell One." By utilizing Discovery Education's Board Builder tool, students will create a Board telling their story which represents themselves including their interests, work, hobbies, community, class and family. Each Epic Story participant will receive an Epic Story Certificate of Participation and an Epic Story Screen Saver. Selected student Boards will be featured on the Discovery Student Network Blog.
"Discovery Education is committed to providing students access to compelling content that is both educational and engaging, and will prepare them with the necessary critical thinking skills needed for their future," said Scott Kinney, senior vice president, Discovery Education. "With Epic Story, we hope to excite students through our interactive tools and live virtual events, and empower them to share their unique story."
Wyatt Channell, executive producer of Science Channel says, "I couldn't be more excited to support this project by sharing some of my experiences overseeing these films. Science documentaries are a wondrous combination of artistic expression and reverence for the remarkable Universe we inhabit. Science Channel is a great place for compelling content that feeds our natural curiosity."
For more information about Epic Story, visit www.DiscoveryEducation.com/EpicStory.
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 that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate 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 Science Channel
Science Channel, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is home for the thought provocateur, the individual who is unafraid to ask the killer questions of "how" and "why not." The network is a playground for those with audacious intellects and features programming willing to go beyond imagination to explore the unknown. Guided by curiosity, Science Channel looks for innovation in mysterious new worlds as well as in its own backyard. Science Channel and the Science Channel HD simulcast reach nearly 80 million U.S. households. The network also features high-traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/Science Channel and twitter.com/ScienceChannel.