Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education Seek Students from Across the Country to Solve Environmental Issues in Sixth Annual 'Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge'

ISELIN, N.J., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As global environmental challenges increase, the Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education are looking to our country's future leaders and problem-solvers for innovative solutions. Since 2008, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge has tasked K-12 students, under the guidance of an advisor, with identifying an environmental issue in their classroom, school or community and creating a replicable green solution for the chance to earn more than $300,000 in scholarships, savings bonds, school grants, and more.

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The Challenge, which kicks off today with a call for entries, pairs student teams with advisors, to develop actionable concepts that can make an impact on their communities. These concepts will be reviewed by a rigorous three-part process with a panel of environmental advocates and science educators who will judge teams based on their research, analysis and the ability of the solution to be replicated on a larger scale.

The Challenge is sponsored by the Siemens Foundation and is administered by Discovery Education. 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.

"Young people have incredible ideas and unique perspectives on our world. Year after year, the students who participate in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge continue to devise innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems that affect local communities and the world as a whole," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "The Challenge is a tremendous opportunity that empowers students to think about and approach local and global environmental issues and we're looking forward to seeing what this year's students will dream up."

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 new lesson plans that address Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core for K-12, e-books, virtual labs and more to accompany each stage of the Challenge for each grade level. 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 4, 2014. Finalists and winners will then be announced in April 2014. 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 sponsored by the Siemens Foundation and is administered by Discovery Education 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 80,000 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, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge and 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 is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind.  Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

SOURCE Discovery Education