Discovery Communications and 3M Announce Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge

Discovery Communications and 3M Announce Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge

- Celebrating 10th Anniversary Year, Premier National Science Competition is Open to All Middle School Students Nationwide -

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Communications proudly announces that 3M has signed on as the title sponsor of the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge through 2010. 3M joins forces with Discovery Education, the company's division dedicated to transforming classrooms and inspiring teachers with engaging content and services that measure and improve student achievement, in a quest to nurture the next generation of American scientists with an innovative and interactive science program open to every middle school student in America.

Celebrating the milestone of its 10th Anniversary, the Young Scientist Challenge is the nation's premier science competition for middle schoolers targeting students in the years when research indicates their interest in science begins to fade and encouraging them to explore scientific concepts and creatively communicate their findings. The Young Scientist Challenge has evolved to harness the power of the Internet to reach every middle school student in America and, for the first time ever, all fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders are able to make their case directly for why they should be named "America's Top Young Scientist of 2008."

A student's innovative use of everyday technology to communicate scientific knowledge is a vital component of the 2008 Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge. The competition's philosophy is that scientific knowledge is most valuable and effective when shared. As part of their entry, Young Scientist competitors will create short videos demonstrating their understanding of a scientific concept, modeling the same techniques creative educators across the country use when they employ digital media to convey critical or complex concepts to students. This July, 51 semifinalists, one from each state and Washington, D.C., will be announced. Ten finalists will be selected to travel to Washington, D.C., October 4 through 7, to compete for the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

3M is, at its core, a science-based company committed to developing innovative technologies that produce thousands of imaginative products. This commitment has also fostered the desire to deepen an interest in the sciences and ignite a spirit of innovation in students nationwide. In addition to sponsoring the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge through 2010, 3M is providing 200 schools across the country access to Discovery Education Science, the comprehensive multimedia resource that supplements existing school curriculum with high-quality digital science content in a flexible online format.

As a diversified technology company, 3M understands the value of science and math education supporting youth development. For decades, 3M scientists and engineers have shared their enthusiasm for science and sparked student interest in science careers through several 3M-sponsored Science Encouragement Programs: Science Training Encouragement Program (STEP); Visiting Wizards; Technical Teams Encouraging Career Horizons (TECH); and Teachers Working in Science and Technology (TWIST).

"Our partnership with Discovery Education provides yet another platform to cultivate interest in science among students across the country," said Robert MacDonald, president, 3M Foundation. "As a bedrock of innovation, it is critical for companies like 3M to nurture such curiosities and talents for our future, and we are very proud to do so with Discovery."

"3M's sponsorship of the Young Scientist Challenge aligns two powerful brands deeply committed to educating the next generation of scientific thinkers," said Bill Goodwyn, President of Discovery Education. "Together, 3M and Discovery Education hope to nurture and encourage middle school students' interest in scientific inquiry as they approach high school and college."

For more information or to enter the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge, visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com/YoungScientist.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Communications revolutionized television with the Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the #1 non-fiction 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 http://www.discoveryeducation.com/.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms -- often in combination -- to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries.

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FCMN Contact:

Source: Discovery Communications; 3M

CONTACT: Tammy Shea, +1-240-662-6506, tammy_shea@discovery.com, or Anna
Duerr, +1-240-662-6502, anna_duerr@discovery.com, both of Discovery Education;
or Glenn Carter of 3M, +1-651-737-0687, gacarter1@mmm.com

Web site:

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/

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