Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education Seek K-12 Students to Become Agents of Change in Fifth Annual National Sustainability Challenge

ISELIN, N.J., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As global environmental challenges increase, the Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education are looking to our country's future leaders for innovative solutions. Since 2008, through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, K-12 students have been asked to identify environmental problems or issues in their schools, communities and across the globe and devise plans to solve them.

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The Challenge, which kicks off today with a call for entries, pairs student teams with advisors, asks them to tackle local (K-5), regional (6-8) and global (9-12) environmental problems or issues and find replicable green solutions. A panel of environmental experts and science educators judge teams based on their research, analysis and the ability of the solution to be replicated on a larger scale.

The project is a collaboration of the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the College Board. Participating students can find help in turning their ideas into a reality through the aid of a variety of Web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education.

"Every year, the students who participate in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge bring change and inspiration to their schools and communities," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "Young people have incredible ideas and unique perspectives on our world. Through the Challenge, students not only explore the issues that affect our world, but are given a platform to create solutions to tackle these issues. The Challenge is a tremendous opportunity that empowers kids and teens to think about and approach local and global environmental issues."

Now it's your turn
To join this educational initiative, team advisors (who must be full-time or part-time school employees) can register for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, add their student teams and begin formulating their projects at www.wecanchange.com. Student and school prizes, which vary according to grade level and are valued at more than $300,000 total, include scholarships, savings bonds, school grants, adventure trips, school assemblies and more.

The www.wecanchange.com site helps teams get started with a robust free resource section that includes lesson plans, e-books, virtual labs and more to accompany each stage of the Challenge. These materials have been created by Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications that provides scientifically proven standards-based digital content and resources to classrooms nationwide.

The deadline for all entries is March 5, 2013. Finalists and winners will then be announced in April 2013. For more information on the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, visit www.wecanchange.com or www.facebook.com/wecanchange.

About Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge (www.wecanchange.com) is the premier national sustainability challenge. It empowers students in grades K-12 to develop and share environmental solutions that can help change the world. The Challenge is a collaborative effort of the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the College Board and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to educate, empower and engage elementary, middle and high school students and teachers to become "Agents of Change" in improving their schools, communities and world. To date, more than 62,000 students have participated, creatively engaging their communities to find solutions to a local environmental issue or global energy challenge. All participants research their issue using scientific investigation and create a replicable green solution using Web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education. For more information, visit www.wecanchange.com.

About the Siemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. In February 2010 the Siemens Foundation launched its newest initiative, The Siemens STEM Academy, a national STEM education program for teachers designed to support educators in their efforts to foster student achievement in these fields. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For further information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education transforms classrooms, empowers teachers and captivates students by providing high quality, dynamic, digital content for grades K-12 and community colleges. Powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital media, professional development, assessment tools and a passionate educator network to support districts in accelerating student achievement. Discovery Education services like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Techbook and Discovery Education Higher Ed, are in more than half of all US schools and 35 countries around the world.  Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

SOURCE Discovery Education