February 27, 2025

Vol. 2

Challenge Your Students to Discover, Create, and Inspire!

Attention Teachers: Inspire the Next Generation of Changemakers!

The 2025 Discovery Award Competition is now open! This prestigious opportunity allows students to uncover the powerful stories of Unsung Heroes through Project-Based Learning (PBL)—enhancing their research, creativity, and critical thinking skills in the process.

Project Categories
Students can submit projects in one of three formats: documentary, website, or performance.

Individual or Group Entries
Projects may be completed individually or in groups of up to five students.

Exciting Prizes!
Students have the chance to win cash awards and gain national recognition for their work. Plus, teachers can earn prizes for guiding students on this transformative journey!

Submission Deadline: July 1, 2025

Encourage your students to research, create, and inspire—their voices matter. Help them share stories of courage, compassion, and change!

Learn more and submit here: https://bit.ly/Discovery_Award_info

The National Discovery Award:

Celebrating Students Who Bring History to Life

The National Discovery Award Competition is more than just a contest—it’s a platform for students to uncover untold stories and bring Unsung Heroes to life through powerful documentaries, dynamic websites, and compelling performances. Since its inception in 2012, the competition has awarded over $195,000 in prizes to students who have showcased extraordinary research, creativity, and storytelling.

How many years has the Discovery Award Competition been running?
Which states have produced the most winning projects?
Which teachers have mentored the most award-winning projects?

Check out 2024’s Grand Prize-Winning Project!

In 1960, Dr. Frances Kelsey stood her ground against immense pressure, preventing a national tragedy and saving thousands of lives. But have you heard her story?

Irvine (CA) High School student Harmony Yan-Li’s award-winning documentary, Turning from Tragedy: The Unsung Story of Frances Kelsey and the Thalidomide Scandal, brings this courageous woman’s fight for drug safety to light.

Discover how one determined scientist changed the course of history—watch the powerful project that won the 2024 National Discovery Award Grand Prize!

Honoring Irena Sendler’s Legacy

February 15 marks the birthday of Irena Sendler, an extraordinary Unsung Hero whose courage and compassion saved hundreds of Jewish children and adults from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust. Though she passed away in 2008, her remarkable legacy of bravery, selflessness, and resilience continues to inspire generations.

As we remember her life and impact, we celebrate the strength of those who stand against injustice and the power of one person to change the world.

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the powerful stories, achievements, and resilience of Black individuals who have shaped history. From trailblazers in civil rights and social justice to pioneers in science, art, and education, we recognize the countless contributions that have paved the way for progress.

At the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, we highlight the stories of extraordinary individuals whose impact has often gone unrecognized—ensuring their legacies inspire future generations.

Join us in celebrating Black history, amplifying these voices, and continuing the pursuit of justice and equality.

Book Your Group Tours NOW for Winter and Spring!

There’s still time to schedule your group’s visit to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes! Whether you’re part of a school group, senior citizen group, community organization, book club, or just a group of friends, we welcome you to dive into the inspiring stories of history’s Unsung Heroes.

Visitors are raving:

“Truly inspiring—an experience that will change you.”

“A powerful reminder that one person can change the world.”

“Our students left ready to make a difference.”

Tours are tailored to your group’s interests and ages, offering an engaging, thought-provoking experience. Don’t miss your chance to explore the lives of remarkable individuals who made a difference in history.

Dates are filling up fast—secure your spot today!

December 16, 2024

Vol. 12

A Banner Year: Celebrating Record Visitors in 2024

Since its beginning in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has hosted visitors from around the world, including 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states. On December 7th, the center reached a new milestone with its 15,000th visitor for 2024, a record-high number of visitors for one calendar year.

The Lowell Milken Center congratulates Brittany Ward from Fayetteville, AR, as the 15,000th visitor for 2024, and it just so happened that she was also celebrating her 50th birthday! Upon touring the exhibit about Irena Sendler, Brittany, who was visiting with her sister, Samantha Thomas from Webb City, MO, shared some personal connections. Her family was originally from Germany; her grandfather served on an American Navy submarine during WWII, and some family members came to the U.S. as refugees in Oswego, NY.

Visitors like Brittany advance the mission of the Center, learning about and sharing the Unsung Heroes’ stories, along with the heroes’ significant historical impact on our lives, our country, and the world. As the number of visitors increases, interest in the Center grows, and the number of projects entered in the Discovery Award and ArtEffect competitions also grows. Consequently, new Unsung Hero exhibits are continually added to the Lowell Milken Center’s Hall of Heroes, the Lowell Milken Park, and the Center’s website. These unsung heroes become role models that inspire all who learn about them to seek to make a difference in the lives of others.

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.

November 25, 2024

Vol. 11

Spotlight on the 2024 National Discovery Award Competition Outstanding Teachers

In September, the Lowell Milken Center proudly announced the outstanding educators honored in the 2024 National Discovery Award competition. In this edition of our newsletter, we want to dedicate special recognition to these exceptional teachers whose efforts inspire excellence and student achievement.

Chris Dier of Benjamin Franklin High School (LA), a 2023 LMC Fellow, was honored as the inaugural National Discovery Award Outstanding Teacher for his remarkable dedication to student engagement and project-based learning. Additional Outstanding Teacher Awards were presented to Megan Helberg (Loup County Public Schools, NE), Tami Lunsford (Newark Charter School, NJ), and Miranda Spina and Jayda Pugliese (St. Mary Interparochial School, PA).

These educators have gone above and beyond, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and the discovery of unsung heroes whose stories inspire change. Their contributions ensure that the Discovery Award’s legacy continues to empower the next generation of changemakers.

In Their Own Words: Educators Reflect on the

Discovery Award Experience

We reached out to each of the Outstanding Teacher Award winners to hear their thoughts on the impact of the Discovery Award competition. These educators shared their inspiring experiences of guiding students through the process of uncovering the stories of unsung heroes and how this journey has enriched their classrooms. Their reflections highlight the power of project-based learning to ignite curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to history. Following are their responses.