3.27.2008 - 03:00pm ET

(CSRwire) SILVER SPRING, MD - March 27, 2008 - Encouraging 21st century educators to LIVE GREEN-Discovery Education and General Motors will award forty educators in public Middle and Junior High Schools across America $1,000 each to implement inventive classroom lessons on the environment or renewable energy initiatives. Applications for the LIVE GREEN Teacher Grants are being accepted now through May 15, 2008.

In addition to receiving $1,000 LIVE GREEN Teacher Grants encouraging sustainability education, the 40 winning educators will be invited to participate in a virtual online professional development program promoting school-specific Green initiatives. As part of the webinar series, each grant recipient will receive a free digital camera which they will use to document their experience teaching environmental or renewable energy lessons.

"The LIVE GREEN Teacher Grant program provides educators the resources they need to introduce creative Green lessons that inspire change in their school community," said Bill Goodwyn, President, Discovery Education. "Together, Discovery Education and General Motors are empowering teachers to improve instruction and enhance student achievement in an area of science critical to our future."

As advocates of emerging technologies and 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 implementing innovative ideas, inspires fellow teachers to improve science instruction and gives students hands on exposure to environmental and energy ideas.

"General Motors is committed to educational initiatives that help students find workable solutions to energy and environmental challenges impacting not only this nation, but also other countries around the world," said Rod Gillum, GM Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Diversity. "We believe that it is important to educate today's young people, who will be tomorrow's leaders, in the areas of science and math. Working with Discovery Education to develop these LIVE GREEN Teacher Grants is a great opportunity to do just that. We're proud of this partnership that rewards those educators who bring innovative new lessons to the classroom and their communities.

Application Process

Middle and Junior High School teachers in an accredited public school in the United States with students from Grade 5 through Grade 9 are eligible to participate. The competition is open between now and May 15, 2008. Teachers must submit a 750 word essay online at www.discoveryeducation.com/livegreen explaining how they will advance their students' learning about sustaining resources through the use of new and emerging technologies. Essays should demonstrate vision, creativity and a novel way of presenting environmental and energy concepts.

Once the application period closes, a panel of judges from Discovery Education will judge submissions on content, originality/creativity and adherence to contest parameters. Winners will begin to be notified in June, 2008.

For more information or to enter the Discovery Education/Live Green Teacher Grants, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/livegreen.

In June 2008, Discovery Home channel becomes Planet Green - the first 24-hour eco-lifestyle channel dedicated to making a difference by providing tools, information and content that will enlighten, empower and most certainly entertain. The channel will launch to more than 50 million homes. Visit www.planetgreen.discovery.com for details.

For more information on Discovery Education Science, or any other products and services from Discovery Education, please visit www.discoveryeducation.com or call 800-323-9084.

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 www.discoveryeducation.com.

About General Motors

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), 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.

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