NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Toyota USA Foundation today announced that it has more than doubled the size of its endowment, from $42 million to $100 million. In 2007, the Foundation gave over $4 million to enhance K-12 math and science teaching throughout the United States.
"This was a year of important milestones for Toyota in America with both the 50th anniversary of sales in the U.S. and the 20th year of the Toyota USA Foundation," said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of Toyota Motor North America. "The Foundation has provided over $22 million in grants to nearly 200 organizations since its inception, and we are excited to increase our giving by raising the endowment to $100 million."
The Toyota USA Foundation supports quality K-12 programs that improve the teaching and learning of mathematics, science, and environmental education. The foundation places a high priority on:
* Diverse programs that are broad in scope, incorporate inter-disciplinary learning, and use "real-world" classroom applications; and * Innovative and cost-effective programs which develop students and teachers' abilities. Toyota USA Foundation Second-Half 2007 Grants: Organization Program Description Grant Biotech Partners Science for Provides four semesters $200,000 Berkeley, CA Life of hands-on bioscience over two class work and an years eight-week paid internship that helps prepare under-represented youth to enter the biotech workforce or a community or four-year college. Colorado River River Three-year program for 6th $100,000 Foundation Stewards - 8th grade students that over two Austin, TX uses field-based learning years to enhance science performance and environmental stewardship. Paired with classroom curriculum, field activities include study of animal adaptations, renewable energy production, water quality and pollution analysis. Four Corners Learning K-8th grade program $400,000 School of Progressions promotes conceptual over two Outdoor Education - The Living understanding and years Monticello, UT Environment increases student interest in the sciences. Eighty teachers and 2,000 students, 50 percent of which are Native American, in 20 rural elementary and middle schools in four states, will participate in education, service, adventure and conservation programs. James Madison Summer Acquaints teachers with $255,365 University Institute up-to-date developments over Harrisonburg, VA For Regional in physics as well as three Physics And new and improved years Physical pedagogical technique. Science Also included is funding Teachers for a teacher-in-residence to manage the program. The National AquaPartners A systemic, $464,381 Aquarium interdisciplinary science over Baltimore, MD program for 1,500 4th and three 5th grade students and years their teachers that integrates biological, marine and environmental sciences into the curriculum, in the classroom, in the field and at the Aquarium. University of High School A joint project of $200,000 Michigan Beginning UM-Dearborn's Center for Ann Arbor, MI Algebra Mathematics Education Academy and the Wayne County Regional Educational Services Agency to improve math understanding and instruction among high school teachers in Wayne County. University of Online Development of a $540,345 Nebraska Masters collaborative over Lincoln, NE Degree in interdisciplinary four Applied online master's degree years Science program for K-12th grade science teachers across the country. Teachers will have the opportunity to improve their own science knowledge while also learning effective science teaching methods to apply in their classrooms. University of Mission: Launch a mentoring program $225,000 Southern Engineering to prepare and encourage over California promising high school three Los Angeles, CA students to pursue years undergraduate engineering degrees. The students will be introduced to the scientific method, problem-solving and teamwork through seminars and a two-week summer camp. Virginia Tech One Mission Development of a core $243,870 Blacksburg, VA of K-12th grade standards from each of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines integrated through the theme of exploration, particularly of space and ocean systems.
For information on the Toyota USA Foundation's first-half 2007grants, please visit: http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2007012918534
The Toyota USA Foundation is a $100 million charitable endowment created to support education programs serving kindergarten through 12th grade students and their teachers in the United States, with an emphasis on mathematics, science and environmental science. For additional information about the Toyota USA Foundation, visit www.toyota.com/foundation.