Rapides Parish Day of Discovery - August 2011

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Rapides Parish School District Partners with Discovery Education to Provide Professional Development Event to Educators

-- District educators to learn the latest strategies and techniques for improving student academic achievement through the use of educational technologies and digital content--

WHAT:           Recognizing that 21^st Century students entering the classroom are extremely familiar with technology and digital media, on Saturday, April 9th, the Rapides Parish School District and Discovery Education are presenting a professional development event providing district educators with strategies and techniques to leverage the latest educational technologies and Discovery Education digital content to improve student engagement in learning.  This event is funded by the Rapides Foundation.

                        The leading provider of high quality curriculum-based digital content to America’s classrooms, Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, whose networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel. 

During this event, participants will experience interactive presentations on the following topics:

·       Assessing and Maximizing Student Engagement

·       Using Web 2.0 Tools as a Platform for Student Collaboration and Communication

·       Integrating Google Earth into Classrooms

WHO:            Teachers and administrators from Rapides Parish School District and educational experts from Discovery Education

                       
WHEN:           Saturday April 9, 8:30am-3:30pm

WHERE:         Tioga High School

1207 Tioga Road
Ball, LA, 71405

Phone:  (318) 640-9412

WHY:             Currently, our education system requires students to abandon the way they typically interact with technology when they walk into school and “power down.”  However, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey of 2,002 people ages 8 to 18 found that today’s kids spend more than 53 hours a week interacting with digital media. To bridge this disconnect, the event will show participants how to use the tools available to them to help pupils “power-up” in the classroom.

**OUTCOME**

The Board unanimously approved "Bring Your Own Technology" for Rapides students based on the

success of the event!  

Facts/figures regarding on-site and Livestream attendance:

• 50 schools set up viewing rooms for the Discovery Education DoD Livestream 
• 2000 teachers attended virtually via Livestream
• 120 on-site attendees

**PRESS**

 

http://media.lpb.org/LSWI3449_Talking_Technology_iPod.mp4

WRESA Summer Leadership Golf Outing - June 2011

Western Region Education Service Alliance - Summer Leadership Conference

June 28th: Techbook Session with Brad Fountain

June 28th: Golf Outing - 63 attendees

June 29th: Closing Keynote with Brad Fountain

Pictures from Golf Outing at The Grove Park Inn

 

Danny Forster at Detroit Public Schools and Utica Community School District - May 2011

Danny Forster of Science Channel’s Build it Bigger Visits Detroit Public School Students to Promote STEM Education and Careers

Presented by Discovery Education, Forster to Address Students on Future Opportunities in STEM

WHAT:

Detroit Public Schools and Discovery Education will host Danny Forster of Science Channel’s Build it Bigger for a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) presentation at the Detroit Public Schools Welcome Center. On Wednesday, May 4, Forster will present to more than 150 students, local business partners and educators on the importance of student-focused STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and STEM career opportunities. He will share with students his own education and experience with STEM and his most recent work as executive producer of the new documentary series, Rebuilding Ground Zero.  As a passionate educator, Forster will also give students insight into possible STEM careers as they look to the future. The visit coincides with Detroit Public Schools’ renewed emphasis on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects, including strengthening the academic curriculum, resurrecting its relationship with the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) and increasing student access to and participation in science fairs

WHEN/WHERE:

Detroit Public Schools Welcome Center

7430 2^nd Avenue, Suite 425, Detroit, MI 48202

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. EST – Media Meet & Greet                                  

9:30 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. EST – Presentation

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Danny Forster of Science Channel’s Build it Bigger Visits Michigan Students to Promote STEM Education and Careers

--Presented by Discovery Education, Forster To Address Students on Exciting Careers In STEM Careers--

WHAT:          

Utica Community Schools and Discovery Education will host Danny Forster of Science Channel’s Build it Bigger for a series of special student events. On Wednesday, May 4, Forster will present to more than 1,000 students, 150 local business partners and 50 educators on the importance of student-focused STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and STEM career opportunities. On Thursday, May 5, Forster will visit Utica High School and Stevenson High School to share with students his own education and experience with STEM and his most recent work as executive producer of the new documentary series, Rebuilding Ground Zero.  As a passionate educator, Forster will also give students insight into possible STEM careers as they look to the future.

WHEN/WHERE:       

The Best Western Sterling Inn and Conference Center

34911 VanDyke Avenue

Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 12:30 pm – 12:50 pm EST – Presentation

                                             1:00 pm – 1:30 pm EST – Media Meet & Greet                    

Utica High School

47255 Shelby Rd

Utica, MI 48317

Thursday, May 5, 2011 - 9:10 am – 10:30 am EST – Presentation

                                       10:30 am – 10:45 am EST – Media Meet & Greet

Stevenson High School

39701 Dodge Park Rd

Sterling Heights, MI 48313

Thursday, May 5, 2011 - 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm EST – Presentation

                                       10:30 am – 10:45 am EST – Media Meet & Greet

WHO:           

Danny Forster, host of Science Channel’s Build it Bigger.

CONTACT:   

Tim McAvoy, Utica Community School District

586-797-1102, tim.mcavoy@uticak12.org

Christina Scripps, Discovery Communications

240-662-6502, christina_scripps@discovery.com

Collier County, FL - 1 Millionth View Event - February 2011

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Collier County Public Schools and Discovery Education Celebrate the Use of Educational Technologies and Encourage Student Achievement with Events around District

--Philippe Cousteau, grandson of legendary explorer and Chief Environmentalist for Discovery Education, helps district students, educators and board members celebrate outstanding efforts to engage students in learning through digital media --

WHAT: Collier County Public School students, as well as District administrators and School Board members, will meet Discovery Education’s Chief Environmentalist, conservationist and educator Philippe Cousteau when he visits the district for a series of events on Tuesday, February 15. During his appearances Cousteau, through his inspirational personal story and tales from explorations around the globe, will inspire student achievement, promote science education and recognize the district for their outstanding use of educational technologies and digital content. The Collier County Public Schools recently reached the milestone of one million digital educational videos viewed, an accomplishment indicative of the district’s innovative use of educational technologies and digital content to engage students in learning and improve student achievement.

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, whose networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel.

The Collier County School Board will also recognize district efforts when Board Chair Julie Sprague accepts an award commemorating the millionth view milestone from representatives of Discovery Education during their scheduled Board meeting. The Collier County School Board believes all students utilize technology to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and effective learning experiences. All district students are afforded the opportunity of access to technologies, such as digital content from Discovery Education, which promotes in-depth understanding across all academic disciplines. This will ensure their ability to be productive, successful, life-long learners and responsible, discerning citizens in our diverse and changing democratic society.
District administrators, teachers and support staff view technology as a means to achieve the stated goals of the School Board of Collier County Mission Statement. They utilize and model the appropriate use of technology as a learning tool, as a management instrument, and as a communication vehicle for themselves and their students. Administrators, teachers and support staff will use a variety of technologies as a vehicle to address the state mandated requirements, Educational Reform, the Collier County Board of Education's Mission Statement and the Florida Sunshine State Standards.
WHO: Discovery Education’s Chief Environmentalist, conservationist and educator Philippe Cousteau, Collier County School Board members, District administrators and educators, students and Discovery Education representatives.


WHEN/WHERE:
Assembly #1: Collier County Schools Central Office
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center
5775 Osceola Trail
Naples, 34109—Phone: 239.377.0001
10:00am Student Assembly
Assembly #2: Lely Elementary School
8125 Lely Cultural Parkway
Naples, 34113—Phone: 239.377.7500
1:00pm Student Assembly

Award Presentation:
Collier County School Board Meeting
Presentation of One Millionth View Certificate
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center
5775 Osceola Trail
Naples, 34109—Phone: 239.377.0001
4:30pm Board Meeting

CONTACTS:
Insert Name, Collier County Public Schools
INSERT EMAIL, INSERT PHONE Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
stephen_wakefield@discovery.com, (240) 662-2893

About Philippe Cousteau
Philippe Cousteau is the son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr. and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Cousteau is continuing the work of his father and grandfather by educating the public about the environment. Cousteau is Discovery Education’s Chief Environmentalist and the president of EarthEcho International, a non-profit environmental education and conservation organization founded by Philippe and his sister Alexandra in memory of their father.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Communications revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction 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.

Press:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/feb/22/class-notes-jacques-cousteaus-grandson-pays-visit/?partner=RSS

Howard-Suamico Philippe Cousteau Event 1-18-11

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Howard-Suamico School District to Host Inspiring Assemblies Featuring Discovery Education’s Chief Spokesperson for Environmental Education Philippe Cousteau

-- Grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau visits district to share his passion for using the latest educational technologies to explore the world--

WHAT:

Students and educators at Howard-Suamico School District will meet Discovery Education’s Chief Spokesperson for Environmental Education, conservationist and educator Philippe Cousteau, when he visits the school system for two inspiring presentations for students on Tuesday, January 18.  During his visit, Cousteau will address elementary and secondary students, sharing his inspirational personal story intermingled with tales from explorations around the globe.  Cousteau’s presentation will promote academic excellence and encourage students to discover the wonder and mysteries of the natural world around them through the power of new educational technologies and digital content.  Discovery Education, the leader in digital services for the classroom, is a division of Discovery Communications whose networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Science Channel.

Cousteau, Discovery Education, Howard-Suamico School District Superintendent Damian LaCroix and district educators share a commitment to engaging today’s students in all academic disciplines through the effective integration of educational technologies and dynamic digital content into school curricula.  Recognizing that their core mission is to prepare students for the future, district officials are creating modern, dynamic, flexible learning environments that improve student academic achievement and develop productive, responsible, civic and globally minded adults who prosper and serve.

WHO:

Discovery Education’s Chief Spokesperson for Environmental Education Philippe Cousteau, Howard-Suamico School District Superintendent Damian LaCroix, Howard-Suamico School District educators and students, and representatives from Discovery Education.

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/Philippe-Cousteau-to-speak-at-area-schools

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110119/GPG0101/101190754/Cousteau-shares-lessons-from-the-sea-with-Suamico-students

http://www.hssd.k12.wi.us/philippecousteau