GM, Discovery Ed, name winners of 2008 LIVE GREEN teacher grants
Submitted by Discovery Education
2008-09-02 15:59:57
Silver Spring, MD (August 25, 2008) – General Motors and Discovery Education are pleased to announce the forty winners of the 2008 LIVE GREEN Teacher Grants. Each of the forty winning middle or junior high school educators will receive a $1,000 grant to implement new, inventive classroom lessons on the environment or renewable energy initiatives.
As stewards of the next generation, teachers are uniquely positioned to instill in their students excitement and optimism about the future of our planet. The LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant program recognizes outstanding educators who are implementing innovative ideas, inspires teachers to improve science instruction and empowers educators to offer students hands-on exposure to real-world environmental and energy topics. To view the complete list of LIVE GREEN Grant winners, visit
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/livegreen
Chris Anderson of Gateway Regional Junior/Senior High School in Woodbury Heights, N.J. is eager to start the school year and continue the work his class has already begun. “We are so grateful for this grant award. We will use the funds in my classroom to extend the sustainable food and energy projects that we are working on in my technology education curriculum. My students will be thrilled.”
In applying for the LIVE GREEN Grants, applicants submitted an essay online explaining how they will advance their students’ learning about sustaining resources. A panel of judges from Discovery Education and several partner organizations judged each submission on content, originality/creativity and adherence to contest parameters. The forty winning essays demonstrated vision, imagination and a unique way of presenting environmental and energy concepts to students.
In addition to receiving a $1,000 LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant, each winner is invited to participate in an online professional development program connecting them with leaders in the sustainability community and providing them with additional resources to support green initiatives in their school. The three-part webinar series is scheduled to kick off in mid-September. Grant winners also will receive a free video flip camera to record their experiences integrating environmental themes and lessons into their curriculum.
Kerry Girardin, a Science Teacher from Phoenix Multicultural Academy in Detroit, Mich. commented, “Sometimes it seems like an uphill battle with no assistance. This award will make a tremendous impact in the possibilities for this year. I promise that I will make this money stretch and work as hard as possible. The children will benefit 100 percent.”
“General Motors and Discovery Education are proud to support these forty innovative educators as they introduce creative green lessons that inspire change in their school communities,” said Rod Gillum, GM Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Diversity. “Through these grants, Discovery Education and General Motors are empowering teachers to improve instruction and enhance student achievement in an area of science critical to our future.”
For more information, visit
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/livegreen
About Discovery Education
Discovery Communications revolutionized television with the Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the #1 non-fiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at
http://www.discoveryeducation.com
About General Motors
General Motors Corp., the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries.