COUNTDOWN CONTINUES: FINAL FORTY CHOSEN IN NATIONAL CHALLENGE TO NAME AMERICA'S "TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR"

6th Annual Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge Will Kick-Off Einstein Centennial Celebration

US Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps to Appear as Inspirational Speaker

Silver Spring, MD - The countdown to choosing the nation's top young scientist enters its final phase today as Discovery Communications announces the 40 middle school students from around the country selected as finalists in the 2004 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC). The DCYSC is the nation's premier science competition for students in grades 5-8. The finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. next month to compete for the title of "America's Top Young Scientist of the Year."

Discovery Communications launched the competition in partnership with Society for Science & the Public to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. Now in its sixth year, the DCYSC recognizes the children who demonstrate the best leadership, teamwork, communication and scientific problem solving skills.

"This year's competition continues the tradition Discovery has established of making science fun for middle school students while cultivating the next generation of American scientists," said Judith A. McHale, President & CEO, Discovery Communications. "Discovery is teaching these future leaders not only the value of science but also the importance of effectively communicating their knowledge to others."

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

An Einstein-Inspired Competition for the 21st Century

The 40 finalists will come to Washington, D.C., October 23-27, where they will take part in the DCYSC finalist competition at the Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. They will compete in team-based, interactive challenges celebrating 100 years of Albert Einstein's physics-2005 marks the centennial of Einstein's relativity theories and the DCYSC will help to kick-off the anniversary.

The challenges this year are inspired by Einstein's physics-from relative and molecular motion to gravity and acceleration. Skateboards and a half-pipe, a radar-gun luge, and a laser obstacle course will be utilized to help define Einstein's theories for a new generation. These action-packed activities will be taped for broadcast on the Discovery Channel and emceed by its popular duo, the MythBusters.

"Albert Einstein was just a young man himself-in his early twenties-when he made some of the greatest contributions in the history of science," said Program Director Kyle O'Connor. "Our forty finalists represent the best and the brightest in science in their age group and will test Einstein's theories directly in these exciting challenges."

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."

Olympic Gold Medalist and Maryland native, Michael Phelps, will be on hand at the October 27th Awards Ceremony to deliver an inspirational speech and help celebrate with the student scientists.

The Finalists

The Final Forty hail from 16 states, including Arizona (1), California (6), Connecticut (3), Florida (6), Georgia (2), Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Michigan (2), Missouri (1), Mississippi (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), Ohio (2), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (3), and Texas (5).

The finalists were chosen based upon the excellence of their projects presented at local Society for Science & the Public-affiliated science 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.

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 7,500 children have entered the DCYSC since its inception. Winners have received more than $400,000 in scholarship awards, federal government recognition and participated in science-related trips that have taken them to the far corners of the globe.

About the MythBusters
Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are the hosts of MythBusters, the popular Discovery Channel series that uses science to determine the truth behind some of the most infamous urban legends. Offering a unique, fun and often-offbeat way to look at science, MythBusters answers questions like - Is it really dangerous to talk on the phone during a thunderstorm? And, can a gust of wind actually carry a small child holding a large bunch of balloons? Jamie and Adam's combined 30 years of experience in animatronics, model building and prototyping, along with their passion for science arm them with the ability to build and create anything they need to "bust" a myth. MythBusters airs on Discovery Channel on Wednesdays this fall, from 9-10 PM (ET/PT), beginning September 29.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 160 countries and territories with one billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's 60 networks of distinctive programming represent 19 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Discovery Wings Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery HD Theater and FitTV. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery.com and 120 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.

Society for Science & the Public administers the DCYSC. One of the most respected non-profit organizations advancing the cause of science, Society for Science & the Public has a sterling reputation for conducting high-quality competitions on the national and international level, including the Intel Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Society for Science & the Public is dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages through publications, outreach and educational programs.

The World Year of Physics 2005 is a United Nations endorsed, international celebration of physics. Events throughout the year will highlight the vitality of physics and its importance in the coming millennium, and will commemorate the pioneering contributions of Albert Einstein in 1905. Through the efforts of a worldwide collaboration of scientific societies, the World Year of Physics will bring the excitement of physics to the public and inspire a new generation of scientists.

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