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SILVER SPRING, Md. (April 6, 2015) - The Nutrients for Life Foundation, an educational non-profit that educates students and the public about the vital role soil nutrients play in growing our world, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, will host a live virtual field trip for students nationwide on April 23 at 1 p.m. EST. The Live From the Farm-Technology, Soil Science and More virtual field trip will engage middle school students in STEM topics through a real-world look at the innovative technologies and scientific practices used during the harvest and planting seasons.

Hosted live from Bomke's Farm in Springfield, Ill., this virtual field trip is part of the Nutrients for Life Foundation and Discovery Education's "From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil" multi-year education initiative. Designed to give middle school students a deeper understanding of the important role science and soil nutrients play in agriculture, this collaboration explores the connections between soil nutrients, plants, and crops. During this live event, Brian Bomke, owner and operator of Bomke's Farm, will share how he utilizes critical thinking skills to make decisions during the spring planting season based on the fall harvest. Additionally, students will get an in-depth look at the various technologies used on the Bomke Farm, allowing them to make connections between STEM concepts they are learning in the classroom and real-world careers in today's agricultural industry. Participants across the country may register at www.thescienceofsoil.com/virtualfieldtrips.   

"I am excited to integrate this virtual field trip into our classroom lessons as a way to highlight critical thinking skills and the real-world application of science and technology," said Patti Grammens, science teacher at Lakeside Middle School, Forsyth County Schools, Ga. "An event like this will provide my students the unique opportunity to explore STEM concepts in the context of real-world careers and make connections from our classroom to everyday life."

"Today's farmers use extensive science and technology to grow healthy crops," said Nutrients for Life Foundation Executive Director Harriet Wegmeyer. "From soil testing to GPS navigation, modern farming is a science-driven profession that offers a rewarding career. We invite classrooms to the farm through this engaging virtual field trip to see science in use firsthand."

To support educators beyond the virtual field trip, "From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil" also offers middle school students, educators and families with a suite of comprehensive digital resources that provides a deeper understanding of the role soil science plays in everyday life and the importance of soil nutrients in agriculture.  These resources include dynamic interactive lesson plans, digital explorations, bilingual family activities and various agricultural career profiles.

"Discovery Education is proud to partner with the Nutrients for Life Foundation to provide students nationwide with a unique learning opportunity that connects classroom concepts to future careers and brings STEM to life through relevant, real-world examples," said Lori McFarling, Chief Marketing Officer, Discovery Education. "Digital content such as this virtual field trip transforms teaching and learning through powerful, engaging experiences that excite today's 21^st century learners and increase student achievement."

For more information, visit: http://www.thescienceofsoil.com/.

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 Nutrients for Life

The Nutrients for Life Foundation spearheads the mission to educate students and the public about critical soil nutrients in our growing world.  Since formation ten years ago, the Foundation has reached over 18 million students with resources such as "Nourishing the Planet in the 21^st Century," the Smithsonian approved, STEM curriculum.  Nutrients for Life's 2013 partnership with Discovery Education has added a new dimension of innovative, interactive digital resources for the modern classroom.  The Nutrients for Life Foundation is a tax-exempt status organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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