Toyota nurtures science in schools with cash

The program recognizes and provides support to teachers who make a difference by demonstrating excellence and creativity in science education, Toyota officials said this morning in announcing the grants. The impact is that the programs get students excited about science. The winning programs will begin project implementation this month.

“There is nothing more gratifying than honoring outstanding science educators who demonstrate excellence, creativity and vision in science teaching," said Dr. Francis Eberle, executive director for the National Science Teachers Association. "We are extremely proud of the winners ... for their unwavering commitment to their students and profession.”

Judges award money to one teacher or teams of teachers based on creativity, risk-taking and originality. Fifty teachers receive grants of $10,000 each. Projects range from creating bio-fuel to further America's go-green effort to increasing food production on farms in urban environments. Winners teach at the elementary, middle school and high school level.

As a result of the Toyota TAPESTRY program, tens of thousands of students have benefited and many teachers have utilized the opportunity to win prestigious awards that include the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, the National Science Teachers Association Distinguished Teaching Award and the Einstein Fellowship Award. This money allows teachers to push science-based projects beyond classrooms to positively affect their communities and becomes such a showcase that the teachers and students through outstanding performance are able to get additional money from other philanthropic sources.

“It’s extremely rewarding to support exceptional teachers who bring quality science education to our children," said Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy at Toyota. "The Toyota TAPESTRY program was built on the vision of recognizing such teachers and supporting their efforts to improve science learning opportunities for children. ... We’ve had the opportunity to turn that dream into reality.”

Sponsored by Toyota and run by the association, TAPESTRY is the country's largest science teacher grant program of its kind and awards funding for innovative science proposals submitted by teachers in environmental science. Educators from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Mariana Islands have received TAPESTRY grants.

Hawke Fracassa writes about the auto industry from Detroit for TorqueNews.com. You can reach him at [email protected].

Image source: Photo of Toyota headquarters in California courtesy of Toyota

2011 GRANT RECIPIENTS

ALABAMA
Kevin Dolbeare, Mobile

ARIZONA
Emily Musta, Flagstaff
Margaret Wich, Tucson

CALIFORNIA
Aulikki Flagan, Alhambra
Patricia Brown, Auberry
Brook Webb, Bakersfield
Jeff Strogen, Etiwanda
Chris Steigelman, Newbury Park

COLORADO
Mark Browning, Glenwood Springs

CONNECTICUT
Carmen Andrews, Bridgeport
David Edgeworth, New Haven

FLORIDA
Donna Lewis, Miami

HAWAII
Teresa Shimamoto, Honolulu

ILLINOIS
Jason Crean, Western Springs
Allan Fluharty, Chicago

KENTUCKY
Catherina Wiley, Glasgow

MASSACHUSETTS
Louise Levy, Belchertown
Paul Niles, Orleans
Graeme Marcoux, Salem
Kate Fraser, Watertown

MICHIGAN
June Teisan, Harper Woods
Jennifer Bierbusse, Lapeer
Robert Thompson, Ossineke

MINNESOTA
Peter Wieczorek, Coon Rapids

NORTH CAROLINA
Ruby Stephens, Elizabethtown
Melanie Shaver, Marion
Jordan Trull, Raleigh

NEW HAMPSHIRE
David Auerbach, Canaan
Peter Faletra, Lyme

NEW JERSEY
Loris Chen, Wyckoff

NEW MEXICO
Dawn Winters, Santa Fe

NEW YORK
Ruth Fried, Holliswood
Marissa Bellino, New York
Susan Sharp, Phoenix
Donna Bianco, Staten Island
Gregory Metzge,r Southampton

PENNSYLVANIA
Kevin Willis, Carmichaels
Peggy Greene, Eagleville

SOUTH DAKOTA
Susan Wolf, Flandreau

TENNESEE
Amanda Breece, Gallatin

TEXAS
Julie Frey Aledo
Dolores Garay, Houston

VIRGINIA
Laurie Sullivan, Arlington
Isabelle Cohen, McLean

WASHINGTON
Mario Godoy-Gonzalez, Royal City
Jobie Flint
and Danyell Laughlin, Silverdale

WEST VIRGINIA
Carol Muniz, Morgantown
Julia Colaw, Petersburg
Carolyn Thomas, Shenandoah Junction

WISCONSIN
D.J. Huddleston, Weston

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