Student and Teacher Finalists Compete in National Science Competition at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center October 5 and 6

Student and Teacher Finalists Compete in National Science Competition at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center October 5 and 6

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ --
WHAT: The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is
bringing 10 middle school student finalists and five teacher
finalists to the nation's Capital from October 5 to 6, 2008 for
the competition finals. Students will vie for the chance to
win $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value) as well
as the title of "America's Top Young Scientist," while five
teacher finalists contend for recognition as "America's Top
Science Teacher." NASA will host the competition finals at its
world-renowned Goddard Space Flight Center, where students and
teachers will demonstrate their science prowess in a series of
team-based, interactive challenges focused on this year's
theme, "The Science of Space" (schedule outline below).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080722/NETU095LOGO )

Student Finalists:
-- Avni Bavishi from Hoffman Estates, IL
-- Margaret Botros from Wichita, KS
-- Shyamal Buch from Folsom, CA
-- Megan Gleason from Tucson, AZ
-- Michael Koehler from Allison Park, PA
-- James Kruse from New Brighton, MN
-- Peter Ku from Princeton Junction, NJ
-- Mathew McGuthry from Richmond Hill, GA
-- Melissa Rey from Chesterfield, MO
-- Jack Uesugi from Wahiawa, HI

NOTE: Student submission videos can be viewed at
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/YoungScientist.

Teacher Finalists:
-- Edward Evans from Welch, WV
-- Lania Ho from Melbourne, FL
-- Paul Kuhlman from Avon, SD
-- Steve Latshaw from Westlake Village, CA
-- Philip Pack from Kingston, PA

WHO: Ten student finalists and five teacher finalists, in addition
to scientists, educators and representatives from Discovery
Education, 3M and NASA.

WHEN: Sunday, October 5, 2008
8:00 AM-2:00 PM and 3:15-4:45 PM

Monday, October 6, 2008
8:00 AM-12:00 PM, 4:00-6:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM

WHERE: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20771

[Oct. 6, 7:00-9:00 PM -- Discovery Communications Headquarters
One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910]

About the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

The Young Scientist Challenge is the nation's premier science competition for middle schoolers. The YSC targets students in the years when research indicates their interest in science begins to fade and encourages them to explore scientific concepts and creatively communicate their findings. As a way to further reinforce its longstanding commitment to scientific innovation, 3M came on board this year as the Presenting Sponsor of the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge with the common goal of engaging and inspiring every middle school student in America to explore science and share their findings. For more information, please visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com/YoungScientist.

Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
Finals at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
October 5 and 6, 2008

Sunday, October 5*

8:00 AM-2:00 PM Round One Challenges**
- Three teams of five (Two student teams and one
teacher team)
- Three 90-minute space-themed challenges, with a
break between each challenge
Location: Buildings 7, 10 and 29

3:15 PM-4:45 PM Round Two Challenges**
- Three teams of five (Two student teams and one
teacher team)
- Three 30-minute "whelmer" (not over or
underwhelming, just whelming) challenges
Location: Building 28

Monday, October 6*

8:00 AM-12:00 PM Round Three Challenges**
- Six teams of two and one team of three (Five
student teams and two teacher teams)
- Eight 20- to 30-minute round-robin style challenges
Location: Building 8

4:00 PM-5:00 PM Round Four Challenge
- Students participate individually, competing
against each other
- Buzz-in style Q&A
Location: Building 8

5:00 PM Top Five Students Announced
- Top five students are announced, then asked to
complete one last challenge
Location: Building 8

5:45 PM Winning Student Announced
- Countdown style, with 5th place announced first and
1st place announced last
Location: Building 8

7:00 PM-9:00 PM Closing Dinner / Winning Teacher Announced
Location: Discovery Communications World Headquarters
(One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910)

*Schedule and logistics are subject to change.
**Challenges run concurrently during first three rounds.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080722/NETU095LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Discovery Communications

CONTACT: Tammy Shea, Discovery Communications, +1-240-662-6506,
tammy_shea@discovery.com; or Glenn Carter, 3M, +1-651-737-0687,
gacarter1@mmm.com

Web site: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/YoungScientist

NOTE TO EDITORS: For day-of inquiries and/or directions to the various locations within NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, please contact Anna Duerr (cell: 240-678-5931) or Bonnary Lek (cell: 240-515-5266).

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