Toyota STEM education support continues with up to $5.8 million awarded in Nevada

Nevada’s Clark County School District will receive up to $5.8 million in grant funding from Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities initiative to boost Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

The funds will be provided over five years to give students and teachers access to innovative tools and programs designed to embed STEM strategies into classrooms, according to a press release from Toyota. It will also support teachers with sustained learning.

“We believe all students deserve equal access to opportunities and a pathway to high-growth careers,” said Ana Meade, vice president of sustainable development at Toyota, in the release. “Through Driving Possibilities, we aim to create access to quality STEM jobs by working with local schools, community partners, and industry leaders to address barriers so that everyone can participate.”

Driving Possibilities is Toyota’s national approach to workforce readiness and community engagement.

In Nevada, Toyota is collaborating with Project Lead the Way and the Just One Project on a community-based approach to expand STEM resources and help serve the needs of families in each school.

“The Clark County community warmly welcomed us over 20 years ago when we opened the Toyota Financial Savings Bank (TFSB) in Henderson, Nevada,” said Tellis Bethel, TFSB CEO, in the release. “We are pleased to give back to this community that has done so much for us, and we are proud to contribute to the bright futures of area students.”

Clark County School District will embed stackable STEM programming in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms while customizing an intentional professional development program for educators. Schools will also be equipped with a dedicated space for students and families to access essential needs, such as food and supportive services to help build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, the release says.

Nevada is the 10th site to launch the Driving Possibilities initiative. To date, more than $78.3 million has been announced through multi-year grants with local and national nonprofits, education partners, and the communities where Toyota team members live and work, the release says. Toyota USA Foundation funds the initiative with additional monetary support from Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

Driving Possibilities initiative was launched in 2022 to bring together educators, local and national nonprofits, industry, and communities to create limitless possibilities for all, the release says.

In September, Toyota awarded a grant of up to $4.2 million to Huntsville City Schools in Alabama, building on a previous $6.7 million commitment.

New programming and student support offered through Toyota’s collaboration with Huntsville City Schools and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation will include:

• • A STEM coordinator to serve the entire school district;
  • STEM coaches in six elementary and two middle schools;
  • Care Closets at 10 schools, with the Caring Link, a Madison County nonprofit, to provide teachers with quick access to essentials for students, such as new clothing, school supplies, and toiletries;
  • Funding of monthly training sessions by Second Mile, a local nonprofit, to increase parent engagement; and
  • Funding Greenpower USA cars for 10 schools to create manufacturing and project management experience for students.

Other Driving Possibilities funding has supported schools in North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, and Texas.

Images

Toyota STEM education support through its Driving Possibilities initative continues in Nevada, aiding Clark County School District students and teachers. (Provided by Toyota)