Toyota, Project Lead The Way Paves New Paths to Next-Generation STEM Careers

Twenty-two K-12 schools in Indiana receive grants to implement STEM curriculum, create future innovators

PRINCETON, Ind. — March 14, 2018 — Toyota, together with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), awarded $290,000 in grants to 22 K-12 schools in Southwest Indiana to help prepare students for the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs.

The grants, funded by the Toyota USA Foundation, provide curriculum focused on computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. They also help create engaging, hands-on classrooms for students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to thrive.

“By bringing new methods of learning to students, we can challenge their way of thinking and empower them with the key skills necessary to succeed and accomplish their dreams,” said Millie Marshall, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana. “Through this effort, we can help create the innovators and problem solvers of tomorrow, while uplifting Indiana communities.”

Last year, PLTW received a $2 million grant from the Toyota USA Foundation to support approximately 115 K-12 schools throughout the United States.

Wood Memorial High School in Oakland City, Ind. is one such school to receive a grant. Wood Memorial was awarded $20,000 to implement PLTW’s computer science curriculum that encourages students to create technology; not just consume it. PLTW K-12 programs include: “Launch” for elementary; “Gateway” for middle school; as well as, Engineering and Computer Science for high school.

“This grant will allow us to enhance our students’ learning and provide opportunities to better prepare them for future STEM careers,” said Kevin Smith, principal at Wood Memorial High School. “We believe our students deserve every opportunity to gain a first-class education. This partnership with Toyota and PLTW helps us provide that.”

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About Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 10,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2017 – and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.