New STEM Program Inspires Middle School Students to Connect Science and Healthy Living Through Experiential Learning Resources
Silver Spring, Md. (Thursday, September 12, 2019)– AstraZeneca, Learning Undefeated and Discovery Education, the leading provider of standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, today launched Generation Health: How Science Powers Us, a dynamic program designed to make the connection between students’ health and the science behind the prevention and treatment of disease. This program offers standards-aligned experiential learning resources for students in grades 6-8, where students investigate both preventative measures, and innovative solutions to key health concerns with a focus on the following areas: oncology, cardiovascular and respiratory.
The Generation Health: How Science Powers Us program will launch with a Virtual Field Trip premiere on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT and will give students a behind-the-scenes look at pharmaceutical labs at AstraZeneca. During the Generation Health Virtual Field Trip, students will get a chance to meet real scientists and learn about the importance of failure as a way to learn and grow, especially when it comes to innovating new medicines. Educators, parents and students are welcomed to register for the virtual event here. Participants are encouraged to join @DiscoveryEd, @AstraZenecaUS, and @LearningUNDFTD for a live Twitter chat during the premiere by submitting questions and sending pictures using #GenerationHealthVFT.
“AstraZeneca is committed to educating and empowering the next generation of scientists, and our partnership with Discovery Education is designed to help students explore some common diseases and how we aim to combat them,” said José Baselga, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca. “In addition, this program will help students understand the importance of scientific discovery and innovation, while showcasing some of the many STEM careers available in the healthcare field.”
Generation Health: How Science Powers Us resources are available at no-cost at HowSciencePowersUs.com and within Discovery Education Experience, an award-winning comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas. Discovery Education Experience empowers educators to create dynamic real-world learning environments that mirror students’ use of technology outside the classroom. Generation Health: How Science Powers Us will also provide STEM Connect licenses to 20 Baltimore County Schools, promoting the critical connection between STEM learning and healthcare careers in partnership with Learning Undefeated. STEM Connect leverages the 4C’s – Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking — to connect students to real-world challenges, blending dynamic digital content with hands-on activities to accelerate student comprehension and application. Overall, the goal is to encourage students to start asking questions instead of simply memorizing answers.
“‘Generation Health: How Science Powers Us’ aims to deliver a unique digital educational experience to engage students in learning about the science behind their own health through the lens of STEM,” said Lori McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Discovery Education. “Discovery Education is proud to partner with AstraZeneca and Learning Undefeated to help students understand how STEM impacts their daily lives, including its impacts on healthy living.”
To make science personal through a focus on healthy living messaging, Generation Health: How Science Powers Us will address the causes of lung cancer. Students will dig into the rising epidemic of vaping and e-cigarette use, especially among young people, which poses a risk to lung health. Scientists at AstraZeneca are on the front lines of modern cancer research, working every day to deliver cutting-edge, life-changing medicines to patients. Program curriculum resources will be included for AstraZeneca employees to take their industry knowledge into the classroom and inspire students to consider STEM careers in healthcare.
“‘Generation Health: How Science Powers Us’ will help educators and students understand the dynamics of STEM careers, while equipping them the knowledge they need to understand the science behind prevention and treatment of disease,” said Kristen Crain, 8th grade science teacher, Dickerson Middle School in Marietta, Ga., Cobb County School District. “I am thrilled to connect my students with scientists who are dedicated to transforming learning experiences for students nationwide.”
Generation Health: How Science Powers Us resources are available at no-cost at HowSciencePowersUs.com and are integrated into the Discovery Education Experience. For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curriculum resources and professional learning services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected with Discovery Education through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @DiscoveryEd.
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About Learning Undefeated:
Learning Undefeated is a non-profit organization that provides life-changing STEM education opportunities for underserved communities. Through innovative and experiential education programs for grades K-12, we are sparking interest in STEM careers and building the workforce that will drive the innovation economy. Learning Undefeated’s flagship education program features mobile STEM labs that have provided hands-on learning opportunities to more than 200,000 K-12 students in 18 states since 2003. Learning Undefeated also operates several other celebrated STEM education programs including the Young Science Explorers Program, a summer camp for middle school students; Advancing Tomorrow’s Leaders in STEM (ATLAS) College and Career Exploration Program; STEM Leadership Experience; student competitions; after-school programs; curriculum development; and disaster recovery education. Visit learningundefeated.org or follow on social media @LearningUNDFTD.
About Discovery Education:
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the U.K. and reach over 5 million educators and 51 million students in more than 90 countries. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.
Contacts:
Discovery Education
Charmion N. Kinder
ckinder@discoveryed.com
(240) 274-2173 phone
Learning Undefeated
Janeé Pelletier
janee@learningundefeated.org
(240) 552-9314 phone
