A Group Of Very Special Monsters Comes To Discovery Familia For Some Back-to-School Fun!

USA - English

• Latin America - español

MIAMI, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Familia heads back to school with the MATEMONSTRUOS, a group of very special creatures on a mission: to get kids interested in math at an early age.  Starring Max, Lily and Gu, the new animated series demonstrates math is everywhere and can be used to solve any problem. In every episode kids will be able to explore the world of counting, calculating, measuring and identifying geometric shapes. MATEMONSTRUOS will air on Discovery Familia Monday through Friday at 5PM E/2 PM P, starting August 26.

With MATEMONSTRUOS, Discovery Familia joins "Connect the Dots," a corporate initiative launched by Discovery Communications this year to promote the importance of educational programming and careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students and their parents.  According to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the United States will have to produce approximately one million professionals in STEM careers in the next decade if it wants to remain competitive economically, and Hispanic students are vital to meeting this goal.

"By 2040, Hispanics are expected to account for 30 percent of the U.S. population.  However, Hispanic participation in STEM careers is way below desired levels," commented Bilai Joa Silar, Vice President of Content at Discovery Familia.  "To narrow this gap and ensure that our kids become future leaders, it is critical that we inspire in them a love for and interest in mathematics, science and technology from an early age.  We are proud to be able to collaborate in this initiative through our children's programming, which aims to encourage kids to think independently and help them acquire skills and habits that will be useful throughout their lives."

In addition to MATEMONSTRUOS, Discovery Familia's special back-to-school programming will include the curriculum based series Artzooka!, Mister Maker and Word World, designed to prepare preschoolers for the world that surrounds them.  The network will also air thematic spots and the informative shorts "Back to School with Jeannette Torres," in which Jeanette, an expert in early childhood education and the network's official brand ambassador, shares useful tips for easing the transition and returning to routine.  This special programming will air for two weeks at 10AM ET/ 7AM PT and 3PM E/12PM PT starting August 19.

For more information about Discovery Familia programming and channel news, please follow us on facebook.com/discoveryfamilia.

Interesting facts about STEM careers and U.S. Hispanics:

• The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology estimates that the United States needs to produce approximately one million more STEM professionals over the next 10 years, which equates to increasing the number of students earning STEM degrees by nearly 35% per year over current rates.
• Latinos are the fastest growing segment of the US population and workforce, yet the Hispanic share of the STEM workforce increased by only one percentage point from 2000-2009, according to the U.S. Department Of Commerce' Economics And Statistics Administration. 
• Given Hispanics are projected to account for 75 percent of the growth in the nation's labor force between 2010 and 2020, Latinos completing certificates and degrees in STEM fields will be vital to meeting the national STEM college completion goal¹.
• According to data from the Higher Education Research Institute (2010), only 16 percent of Hispanic students who began college in 2004 as STEM majors completed a STEM degree by 2009, compared to 25 percent of non-Hispanic White students.
• Women hold only 24% of STEM jobs in the United States².
• Only 3% of Hispanic Women earned physical science degrees, 2% earned engineering degrees and 1% earned computer science degrees in 2011³.
• 81% of teen girls see themselves as "smart enough to have a career in STEM", yet only 13% consider it their number one career option².

Sources:
¹ President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
² New York Academy of Sciences and Girls Scouts of the USA
³ Miami Science Museum

About Discovery Familia
Part of Discovery Communications, Discovery Familia is the only Spanish-language channel dedicated entirely to Hispanic mothers and the things that matter in their lives: their children, their homes and their time. During the day, the Discovery Kids block provides a safe environment for children aged 2-6 with entertaining, research-based programming to prepare them for the world around them. In the evening, the channel offers programming for moms, focusing on such topics as childcare, the home, food, health and beauty.  With trustworthy content and top-quality entertainment, Discovery Familia is a place for Hispanic moms and their children to call "home."  For more information, please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/discoveryfamilia.

SOURCE Discovery Familia