DISCOVERY EDUCATION CELEBRATES PI DAY WITH LIVE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP PROVIDING STUDENTS REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS OF THE FAMOUS MATHEMATICAL CONSTANT
-- Hosted LIVE from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Virtual Event Offers Students Nationwide an Exclusive Opportunity to Learn from Leading Mathematicians, Scientists, and Engineers --
March 9, 2015
SILVER SPRING, Md. (March 9, 2015) - On Friday, March 13 at 1 p.m. ET, Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, will celebrate Pi Day with a live virtual field trip to the laboratories of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the federal agency developing and applying technology, measurements, and standards. Offered at no cost to classrooms nationwide, this event will feature leading mathematicians, scientists, and engineers demonstrating how Pi, the numerical value of the ratio of the circumference of a circle, is utilized in solving everyday problems.
During this 30-minute virtual field trip, students will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the NIST facilities, exploring its nanotechnology section, 3D lab, fire research division, and underground labs. In addition, students will have the unique opportunity to hear from a variety of experts who will discuss the integral role Pi and mathematics play in the operation of the everyday products and services we depend on, including skyscrapers, jetliners, computers, video games, cell phones, and cars. Classrooms may register and submit questions for this event at http://www.discoveryeducation.com/PiDay/.
"I am thrilled to give my students the opportunity to participate in Discovery Education's Pi Day virtual field trip," said Norma Rockwell at Teacher at Carver-Edisto Middle School in Orangeburg, S.C. "This event will show my class how Pi is being used all around us to solve meaningful, real-world problems, demonstrate NIST's important work, and highlight the exciting career paths in STEM available to today's students."
Discovery Education will also offer elementary, middle, and high school resource guides that include pre and post activities and discussion questions to enrich the students' experience with the virtual field trip. These materials will assist educators in reinforcing the real-world applications of mathematics and Pi, sharpen students' STEM skills, and connect classroom concepts to possible career paths.
"Discovery Education is pleased to offer students and educators dynamic, engaging learning opportunities that use real-world examples to bring mathematics education to life," said Aggie Alvez, vice president, Discovery Education. "We are honored to work with NIST on this project, and look forward to connecting students across the country to the thoughtful scientists and innovators demonstrating the fundamental importance of mathematics in our world."
In January, Discovery Education launched Math Techook, the latest in its series of award winning digital textbooks. Discovery Education Math Techbook provides engaging instructional strategies and real-world problems that motivate and excite students with diverse learning styles. Through its Discover, Practice, Apply instructional approach, Math Techbook moves conceptual learning, procedural fluency and real-world problem application through a cycle that promotes greater student knowledge retention. For more information about this virtual field trip or Discovery Education's other programs and services, visit: www.discoveryeducation.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.