TurfMutt Science Program from Discovery Education and OPEI
Foundation Adds Family-Focused Activities to Help Children Explore
and Appreciate Green Spaces
SILVER SPRING, Md. and
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery
Education and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's Education and
Research Foundation today announced a series of new educational and
activity features for TurfMutt, a science-based program
featuring standards-aligned curriculum, which teaches K-5 students
how things grow, the value of personal and community outdoor space
and how to tend to them in a sustainable way.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121108/PH08564LOGO
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A redesigned website (TurfMutt.com) allows TurfMutt to
reach both educators and families through an expanded digital
experience, including:
- A new "Families" Page shares the importance of backyards,
parks, school yards and other community outdoor spaces, and
presents ideas on how to foster healthy growth. The page
includes family-focused activity guides, such as creating an
outdoor compost area, collecting rainwater, attracting birds and
going on a carbon footprint scavenger hunt.
- An updated TurfMutt "Educators Page" with expanded lesson plans
and activities for elementary teachers to implement with their
students.
- A new "TurfMutt Blog" on the home page, presenting a range of
information and resources to help families and students care for
and enjoy their outdoor green spaces.
To help drive value and raise awareness of TurfMutt,
Discovery Education and OPEI will also collaborate to create a
Public Service Announcement (PSA) to air in local markets and
online that talks about the importance of caring for green spaces
in a sustainable way.
"TurfMutt has evolved into a turn-key educational program for
both schools and home," said Kris
Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "K-5 teachers and families
can access expanded activities and resources to encourage outdoor
exploration and tips on how to care for backyards, parks, school
yards and personal green space in communities across the
country."
Discovery Education and OPEI are also launching the second
annual "Spruce Up Your School" sweepstakes in which educators can
enter to win a $5,000 grant to expand
or develop their school's outdoor space. The annual national
sweepstakes is aimed at K-5 educators across the country.
Last year, Ms. Mary Anne Arabia's
fifth grade class from Palomar Elementary School in Chula Vista, Calif., was named the Grand Prize
winner and received a $5,000 grant,
which was used to provide much-needed shade and seating by planting
trees and installing benches in their school's outdoor play
area.
"The TurfMutt program has had an incredible influence and reach
in schools across the country, already with approximately one
million students impacted since its inception in 2011," said
Mary Rollins, Discovery Education
vice president. "We are pleased to continue building and expanding
on this partnership alongside OPEI as we encourage students to
explore their curiosity in the environment that surrounds them
every day."
The TurfMutt program continues to earn accolades for its
outreach efforts. The Department of Education's Green Ribbon
Schools and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
Environmental Education Program – Teacher Resources and Lessons
Plans websites list the TurfMutt program as a valued
educational resource.
For more information, visit TurfMutt.com.
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.
About OPEI
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
(OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than
84 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment
manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. OPEI is a recognized
Standards Development Organization for the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the
International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of
safety and performance standards. For more information, visit
www.OPEI.org.
About the OPEI Education & Research Foundation
The
OPEI Education & Research Foundation works to develop
educational materials, support research and further programs to
foster environmental stewardship and an appreciation of our parks,
forests, lawns and landscapes. The Foundation's priorities
revolve around environmental best practices and stewardship in the
care and enjoyment of our green spaces and safety education that
ensures safe and proper use of outdoor power equipment.
SOURCE OPEI Education & Research Foundation