Discovery Education, NASA, and The White House Celebrate Space Day With Virtual Field Trip
Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, today announced that it is partnering with the White House and NASA to present a live virtual field trip offering students across the country a behind-the-scenes look into NASA’s exploration of the solar system. On May 1 at 1 P.M. E.T., this unique learning experience will celebrate Space Day by transporting students to the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to learn from leading experts about the importance of continuing space programs, key missions coming up in 2015, and the scientific practices encompassed in these planetary explorations.
As part of the Space Day observance, students will take a virtual journey through NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, home to the nation’s largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study Earth, the sun, our solar system and the universe. During this one-of-a-kind experience and tour, students will learn about the skills needed by scientists working on space programs, what happens at GSFC and how it relates to planetary exploration.
Following the tour, Discovery Education’s Patti Duncan and Dr. James Garvin, GSFC Chief Scientist will lead an engaging discussion from Goddard Space Flight Center, focused on the importance of exploring the universe, how our knowledge of the universe has expanded due to space programs, and the multitude of scientific practices involved in space travel. To further support participating educators, Discovery Education is also offering a collection of space-related classroom activities, which educators can utilize to enhance the learning experience and help prepare students for the virtual field trip. To register for this event or submit questions to be answered live during the broadcast, visit: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/Live/of-the-people-space-day-2015.cfm.
This event is being offered as part of Discovery Education’s virtual field trip series, “Of the People: Live from the White House,” designed to offer middle and high school students unique access to White House professionals, experts and personalities in a series of 30-minute virtual events broadcast live and open to all classrooms nationwide.
To support educators beyond the virtual field trip, Discovery Education has also added several exclusive, space-related programs from Discovery Channel and Science Channel programs to its flagship service, Discovery Education Streaming Plus. Space Day content now available through Discovery Education Streaming Plus includes:
Science Channel’s Man vs. the Universe: Mars Is Ours (Grades 6-12): This program covers the technological developments currently being executed to make the mission to Mars a reality. Engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs unveil the designs of a reusable rocket and landing parachute, spacesuits that shield astronauts from the harsh environment, and current efforts to physically and mentally prepare humans for a potential one-way journey to space.
Discovery Channel’s Red Planet Rover (Grades 6-8): This program follows the Curiosity rover as it travels to the Gale Crater in search of evidence as to whether there was ever life on Mars, the only other planet in the solar system besides Earth to hold water. Experience the highs and lows as NASA scientists and engineers work through the landing process, collect data, and solve a major bug that kept Curiosity from communicating with NASA.
Science Channel’s How the Universe Works: Milky Way (Grades 9-12): In the program, scientists discuss galaxy formation and reveal the regulatory forces of the supermassive black holes at the center of every galaxy. Galactic collisions, including the future collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda, are also described in the program.
“Discovery Education’s compelling multimedia content and virtual learning experiences allow students to learn about our planet and the solar system in ways that are simply not possible through the use of traditional text,” said Kati Searcy, Talented & Gifted Teacher at Fulton County Schools’ Mountain Park Elementary School in Roswell, GA. “I am looking forward to using these engaging resources to create a dynamic classroom experience that will engage my students in NASA’s important work and mission, and highlight some of the exciting STEM career paths available to them.”
“We are proud to partner with the White House and NASA on this exciting virtual field trip that brings STEM to life and helps students understand why space exploration is so important to our lives,” said Bill Goodwyn, President and CEO at Discovery Education. “This unique digital experience is an unparalleled opportunity for young people to tour NASA’s amazing facility and connect with some of the world’s leading space experts, which we hope further inspires them to explore STEM-powered careers as scientists, astronauts and engineers.”
For more information about this virtual field trip or Discovery Education’s other programs and services, visit: www.discoveryeducation.com.
About Discovery EducationDiscovery 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.
