Discovery Communications Continues "Connect the Dots" STEM Education Campaign With Launch Of New Public Service Announcement In Partnership With US2020

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing "Connect the Dots" STEM education initiative, Discovery Communications announced today it has begun airing a cross-channel public service announcement promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and mentorship. The PSA, a component of Discovery's partnership with US2020 announced at the White House Science Fair in May, features MythBusters co-host Kari Byron and will be showcased on air across all of Discovery's 13 U.S. networks.

"Igniting curiosity and inspiring the next generation through content and learning have always been at the heart of Discovery Communications," said Bill Goodwyn, President and CEO of Discovery Education. "We are proud to continue our partnership with US2020 to help recruit mentors across the country and spark a passion for STEM subjects in today's students to help them see the connection between these subjects and careers of their future." 

Pairing students with STEM mentors is a crucial component in striving towards US2020's goal of matching 1 million STEM mentors with students at youth-serving nonprofits by the year 2020.  Discovery and US2020 are seeking to inspire STEM professionals across the country to join the "mentor movement," and empower tomorrow's innovators in their communities. STEM professionals are also encouraged to share their stories and to join the mentorship movement across social platforms using #ConnectTheDots.

Watch the "Connect the Dots" PSA: www.discovery.com/beastemmentor

Answering the President's call for an "all hands on deck" approach to STEM education, US2020 is working to engage individuals in STEM careers to volunteer to mentor students in their local communities. With the number of U.S. STEM jobs increasing and the number of qualified individuals to fill them continuing to lag, igniting students' excitement about STEM subjects and careers has become increasingly important.

As US2020's exclusive media partner, Discovery Communications is committed to supporting US2020 and the broader STEM education goals set forth by the President. The collaboration marks the continuation of Discovery's "Connect the Dots" initiative advancing the importance of STEM education, with a focus on encouraging STEM education and STEM career paths.

Launched in the spring of 2013, "Connect the Dots" is a multimedia, national STEM education initiative designed to provide pathways for kids to achieve today and lead tomorrow by inspiring interest in STEM subjects and careers within industries looking for highly skilled workers. By connecting kids, parents and schools with Discovery's STEM programs across its networks, education and digital platforms, "Connect the Dots" is seeking to make STEM a critical part of kids' lives, prepare them for the jobs of the future and inspire the next great discovery.

"At US2020 we are proud to partner with Discovery Communications in our joint efforts to build the STEM mentoring movement. Discovery's deep commitment to STEM education has had a powerful impact on our organization's development and the STEM mentoring field more broadly," said Eric Schwarz, Executive Chairman of US2020. "We look forward to continuing to build our partnership and working together to create a stronger and more inclusive STEM talent pipeline."

As a part of this ongoing partnership, Discovery Education is set to host a STEM education and mentorship-focused event in Boston, MA on November 17, 2014. The two-part event will bring together thought leaders from the Boston area for a discussion on how to improve and support STEM efforts in their communities; and will also feature a hands-on, interactive STEM experience for a group of local middle school students.

Discovery Education and the White House also recently announced an expansion of the "Of the People: Live from the White House" virtual field trip series. Launched in 2013, the most recent virtual event in the expanded series celebrated Constitution Day at the National Archives. Upcoming segments will highlight the importance of STEM education and a number of other exciting topics, all with the goal of actively engaging our students while delivering the knowledge they need to succeed in the 21^st century economy.  

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity, engaging and entertaining viewers with high-quality content on worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery also controls Eurosport International, a premier sports entertainment group, including six pay-TV network brands across Europe and Asia. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

SOURCE Discovery Communications