Press Releases

Take Me Fishing and Discovery Education Expand ‘Explore the Blue’ Program Offerings
New Boating, Fishing & Aquatic Conservation Resources Available to Middle School Students; New Family Materials Available in Spanish

ALEXANDRIA, VA (September 26, 2012) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Take Me Fishing campaign and Discovery Education today unveiled they have expanded the Explore the Blue Program, now providing educational materials specifically for middle school students (grades 6-8). The materials feature earth and life science lesson plans that help nurture a passion for outdoor activities such as boating and fishing, and for aquatic conservation. In addition to the new science lessons, more than 10 family activities on the site are now available in Spanish, providing important resources to Hispanic populations nationwide.

“We are delighted to expand our program with Discovery Education, encouraging a new group of middle-school aged children to get outside and learn about boating, fishing and the environment,” said Frank Peterson, RBFF President and CEO. “Ninety percent of adult outdoor enthusiasts are introduced to nature-based activities between the ages of 5 and 18. Providing opportunities to get involved with the outdoors through programs like Explore the Blue will help foster an appreciation for our natural world for years to come.”

ExploretheBlue.com, a free, comprehensive resource empowers K-8 teachers and parents to engage students in a dialogue about the importance of outdoor recreational activities, such as boating and fishing, and fosters an appreciation for the protection and conservation of America’s lakes, rivers, streams and oceans.

“Discovery Education is pleased to expand the Explore the Blue Program to middle school students and give them a truly hands-on opportunity to explore the world around them and extend the concepts they are learning in school beyond the walls of their classrooms,” said Mary Rollins, vice president, Discovery Education. “By expanding the site’s resources to include students in grades K-8, we can help encourage all youth to participate in on-the-water activities and engage in aquatic conservation efforts.”

The launch also includes an Explore the Blue Water Challenge, a hands-on service learning challenge for middle school students designed to bring learning to life, by getting students out on the water and reinforcing the benefits of aquatic conservation. Students in grades 6-8 are asked to choose a local waterway or water-related issue in their community, conduct research, develop and implement an action plan, and reflect on their findings in a video. One grand prize winning team will be awarded a U.S. water-based adventure trip and a grant for their plan.

Additionally, teachers are encouraged to enter the Explore the Blue Educator Sweepstake for a chance to win a one-day outdoor fishing adventure field trip and outdoor exploration kits for their class.

Since its launch in 2010, Explore the Blue has reached nearly 1.17 million young people. For more information on the program, visit ExploretheBlue.com.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.

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.


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For further information: Stephanie Vatalaro, RBFF, svatalaro@rbff.org, 703-778-5156 OR Alana Carchedi, Discovery Education, Alana_carchedi@discovery.com, 240-662-2572

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