Discovery Press Web United States

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Silver Spring, Md. [November 6, 2014] - Toyota and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, today launched the 2014-2015 TeenDrive365 Video Challenge (formerly known as the Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge).  Now in its fourth year, the Video Challenge invites teens across the country to create short videos to inspire their friends to drive safely and avoid distractions. 

Ten finalists will be chosen and their entries will be posted online for public vote.  The winner of the public vote will receive the People's Choice Award along with a $5,000 cash prize and a trip to see a taping of a Velocity network show. 

Additionally, a panel of judges from Discovery Education, Toyota, educators and community leaders will select a first, second and third place winner.  The winners will be selected based on the creativity, content and presentation of their videos.  The grand prize winner will receive a $15,000 cash prize and work with a Discovery film crew to reshoot their video as a professional, TV-ready PSA.  The second place winner will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize along with a trip to attend a taping of a Velocity network show and the third place winner will receive a $7,500 cash prize.

Last year, more than 1,000 videos were submitted by teens from all 50 states.  Teens can submit entries today through March 16, 2015.  Additional details can be found www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com.

"When it comes to the critical issue of safe driving, teens can be one of the biggest influences on other teens.  This contest allows teens to make their peers aware of the very serious topic of distracted driving, in their own way - using creativity, innovation and ingenuity," said Dr. Terry Grier, Houston Independent School District's Superintendent of Schools. "Through this partnership, Toyota and Discovery Education are empowering students, parents, and teachers to have the critical conversations about the life changing choices teens can make behind the wheel."

The program is part of TeenDrive365 (www.TeenDrive365.com), Toyota's comprehensive campaign that offers online tools, expert advice, local events and social media elements to inspire parents and teens to be safer drivers together.  TeenDrive365 builds on the programs and resources Toyota has offered for over a decade. Since TeenDrive365's launch last November over 1 million people have visited its web site, and over 20,000 have taken Toyota's safe driving pledge. 

In addition to the Video Challenge, TeenDrive365 will continue to offer the same popular resources and online tools it launched last year, such as The Cost of Driving Calculator, which helps parents teach their teens about the financial implications of life behind the wheel, Toyota's Mutual Driving Agreement, which allows teens and parents to set expectations for safer behaviors behind the wheel, and Heads Up!, a driving simulator game which demonstrates the dangers of multitasking while driving by presenting the player with a series of challenges they have to complete while steering a Toyota vehicle around a practice course. Safe driving events are also offered around the country; including behind the wheel defensive driving courses and teen safety clinics in partnership with local Toyota dealerships.

"With the reduction of safe driving programs from the school day, Toyota's efforts to empower teens to make the right choices behind the wheel are more important than ever," said Bill Goodwyn, President and CEO at Discovery Education.  "We know that when it comes the issue of safe driving, teens play a major role in influencing the behavior of their peers.  We are proud to partner with Toyota and educators nationwide on this critically important endeavor and know that their work is literally saving lives."

Last year's winning video featured a young boy who visits a tarot card reader and learns he has the power to dramatically change his future by avoiding driving distractions when he becomes a teenager. You can view the video at www.teendrive365inschool.com/teens/video-archive.

For more information about the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, visit www.teendrive365inschool.com//teens/video-challenge.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development 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 and primary schools in England, 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 Toyota

Toyota, the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands.  Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ more than 40,000 people.  Our 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 - and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.