Toyota TAPESTRY Grant Program Announces 2011 Award Recipients

TORRANCE, Calif., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of 50 U.S. science educators has been selected to receive $500,000 in grants through the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers Program. Fully funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), the program recognizes and provides support to educators who are making a difference by demonstrating excellence and creativity in science education. The winning programs will begin project implementation in June 2011.

The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program has been enhancing science education for students for more than 20 years. At the onset of the program in 1991, it offered an additional boost to the efforts of teachers across the country. Today, in light of the current crisis facing the nation's schools, the Toyota TAPESTRY program helps to ensure there are engaging science education programs available to get students excited about science.  

Over the course of the program's 21 year history, Toyota has provided nearly $10 million in grants and touched tens of thousands of students nationwide. As a result of the Toyota TAPESTRY program, numerous educators have gone on to win prestigious awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, the NSTA Distinguished Teaching Award and the Einstein Fellowship Award. Additionally, teachers have had the opportunity to expand their science-based projects beyond their classrooms, and impact their communities and even state legislatures. Frequently, this includes garnering substantial additional funding for the teacher's program and school.

Program Overview

Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the Toyota TAPESTRY Program serves as the nation's largest science teacher grant program of its kind and awards funding for innovative science proposals submitted by educators in environmental science. Since the program's inception in 1990, educators from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Mariana Islands have received Toyota TAPESTRY grants.

Judges, accomplished in various areas of science education, select projects that stand out in creativity, risk-taking and originality. Fifty teachers will receive grants of $10,000 each, totaling $500,000. This year's projects range from creating bio-fuel in an effort to help school communities go green, to increasing food production on farms in urban environments. .  

Toyota TAPESTRY is open to elementary, middle and high school science teachers in the United States and its territories. Teachers may apply individually or in teams online.. For more information about Toyota TAPESTRY grants, visit www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry.  

Quotes

"It's extremely rewarding to support exceptional teachers who bring quality science education to our children. The Toyota TAPESTRY program was built on the vision of recognizing such teachers and supporting their efforts to improve science learning opportunities for children. Over the past 21 years, we've had the opportunity to turn that dream into reality."
-– Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc

"There is nothing more gratifying than honoring outstanding science educators who demonstrate excellence, creativity and vision in science teaching. We are extremely proud of the winners of the 2011 Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program and for their unwavering commitment to their students and profession."  
-– Dr. Francis Eberle, Executive Director for NSTA

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates   10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction.  Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.  Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.  For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.

About National Science Teachers Association

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.