The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ad Council have joined with Discovery Education to announce Ready Classroom, an online educational program.

 

Ready Classroom will provide elementary and middle school teachers with resources to integrate natural disaster preparedness information into their curriculum. The program is an extension of Ready Kids, a nationwide effort designed to encourage children and families to take action and prepare for emergencies.

 

"Engaging with children on the topic of emergency preparedness in conjunction with the science curriculum taught in schools is an effective way to bring home the preparedness message." said Corey Gruber, Acting Deputy Administrator of FEMA's National Preparedness Directorate. "This program with Discovery Education will empower children and families to take the important steps necessary to minimize the impact of a disaster and, ultimately, continue our efforts to encourage a culture of preparedness."

 

To coincide with the launch of the site, Discovery Education is promoting this new resource online at www.discoveryeducation.com and to elementary and middle school educators nationwide through its professional learning community, the Discovery Educator Network.

 

"This is a wonderful extension of Ready Kids that will educate teachers, students and families about possible emergencies that may affect their schools and communities," said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "Through these interactive tools teachers will help motivate their students to take the steps necessary to be prepared."

 

Ready Kids is an extension of the Ready Campaign, which engages Americans in taking three simple steps to be prepared for emergencies: (1) Get an emergency supply kit; (2) Make a family emergency plan; and (3) Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.

 

"Discovery Education is pleased to partner with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ad Council to bring this important information into America's classrooms," said Mary Rollins, Discovery Education Vice President of Education Partnerships.  "By educating children about the science behind natural disasters through high-quality digital content, Ready Kids helps educators better engage students on emergency preparedness issues."

 

By following simple preparedness steps in advance, Americans can reduce the impact of emergencies on themselves, their family and their businesses. Individuals can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY, to access free materials that will help them prepare their families.

 

February 2009 marked the Ready Campaign's sixth year at the Department of Homeland Security. The campaign is now managed under the Department's Federal Emergency Management Agency. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.