FINAL FORTY CHOSEN IN PREMIER MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE COMPETITION; WINNER TO BE NAMED AMERICA'S "TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR"

Scientific Trailblazers of Tomorrow Will Explore "Forces of Nature" at 7th Annual Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge

Silver Spring, MD - The countdown to choosing the nation's top young scientist entered its final phase today as Discovery Communications announced the 40 middle school students from around the country selected as finalists in the 2005 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC). The DCYSC is the nation's premier science competition for students in grades 5-8. The cutting-edge competition gives the finalists the opportunity to demonstrate their scientific know-how and push the limits of their knowledge in the quest for the title of America's "Top Young Scientist of the Year."

The 40 finalists will travel to Washington, D.C., October 15-19, where they will take part in the DCYSC finalist competition at the Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. The finalists will compete in team-based, interactive simulated challenges designed around the theme of "Forces of Nature." In the wake of the recent natural disasters that ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States and Southeast Asia, each student will face challenges - from fog banks, to hurricanes, to tsunamis - that utilize their broad range of knowledge in order to understand the implications and scope of natural disasters. The action-packed activities will be taped for broadcast on the Discovery Channel.

"Discovery is proud to cultivate the next generation of American scientists through this competition," said Judith A. McHale, President and CEO, Discovery Communications. "Discovery is committed to understanding how and why disasters happen and what, if anything, through knowledge we can do to prevent or better prepare for them in the future."

The students will compete for more than $100,000 worth of scholarships and special prizes, as well as the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year."

"Our forty finalists have been chosen from an impressive pool of students nationwide. We are excited to put their science skills to the test as they conquer the "Forces of Nature" challenges and compete for the top middle school scientist of the year," said Steve Jacobs, DCYSC Head Judge.

The Finalists

The Final Forty hail from 19 states and Puerto Rico. States include Arizona, California (3), Colorado, Connecticut, Florida (8), Georgia, Hawaii (4), Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan (2), Missouri, Montana, New York (2), Ohio (3), Tennessee, Texas (4), Utah (2) and Wyoming.

The finalists were chosen based upon the excellence of their projects presented at local Society for Science & the Public-affiliated fairs across the country. During the DCYSC finals, the finalists will present their research projects to judges to demonstrate their communication skills and creative thinking.

The full list of 40 finalists, where they're from and the titles of their winning entries can be found online at: http://www.discovery.com/dcysc/

Editor's Note: Bios and interviews with the finalists are available upon request.

About the Competition
In 1999, Discovery created the DCYSC to be a part of the solution to America's chronic underachievement in science and math. The competition responds to evidence that academic performance and interest in science among American students declines dramatically as students get older - particularly during the middle school years.

The DCYSC identifies and honors America's top middle school student who demonstrates the best skills in leadership, teamwork and scientific problem solving. In addition, the ability to be an effective science communicator - a goal that reflects Discovery's philosophy that scientific knowledge is most valuable when it is communicated and shared - is a key component of the judging.

More than 9,500 children have entered the DCYSC since its inception. Winners have received more than $500,000 in scholarship awards, federal government recognition and participated in science-related trips that have taken them to the far corners of the globe.

Discovery is pleased to have Elmer's as DCYSC sponsor. Elmer's has a proud tradition of supporting education, including science. Elmer's believes Science taught through Science Fairs serves as a major benefit to students, allowing students to develop skills in problem solving, research, writing, public speaking and time management.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 90 networks of distinctive programming represent 25 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids En Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.

Society for Science & the Public administers the DCYSC. Society for Science & the Public is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science around the globe through publications, outreach, and educational programs. One of the most respected organizations advancing the cause of science, Society for Science & the Public has a sterling reputation for producing high-quality competitions on the national and international level, including the Intel Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and for the publication of Science News.

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