Hands-on STEM, English Language Learner
Programs to Expand Learning Opportunities
BLUE
SPRINGS, Miss., Sept. 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Having the right tools and
resources to learn is key for students in every community, but
critical needs extend beyond school supplies.
As part of Toyota USA
Foundation's Driving Possibilities initiative, grants of up to
$5.8 million over five years to
Lee County and Pontotoc City Schools give students and
teachers access to innovative tools and programs designed to
provide foundational skills, build confidence, and align them with
an individualized path to success.
"We believe all students deserve equal access to opportunities
and a pathway to high-growth careers, no matter their background,"
said Ana Meade, vice president of
social innovation at Toyota. "Through Driving Possibilities, we aim
to create limitless possibilities for all in our work with
communities to address barriers so that everyone can participate in
the quality STEM jobs of the future."
Driving Possibilities is Toyota's national approach to workforce
readiness and community engagement. In Mississippi, Toyota is collaborating with the
CREATE Foundation and the University of
Mississippi on this groundbreaking approach to changing the
culture of education. By working with local community and education
partners, the Driving Possibilities team identified areas where
support is needed to help close educational gaps through
innovative, hands-on STEM programming while addressing the
essential needs of students and families.
"As a leader in the community, Toyota is looking forward to
working with Lee County and
Pontotoc City Schools through the
Driving Possibilities model for STEM Education," said Aaron Foster, plant vice president of Toyota
Mississippi. "The tailored plan will help enhance educational
opportunities from PreK through 12th grade while
integrating STEM into the everyday life of our students and
teachers."
Lee County Schools will embed
STEM programming into everyday curriculum at the middle school
level while customizing an intentional professional development
program for its middle and elementary school educators. Meanwhile,
just 25 miles west, Pontotoc City
Schools will launch a holistic and inclusive Newcomer Program,
which will provide students, teachers and families resources and
tools for English-language learner translation
services.
"Toyota is leading the way on helping us create Mississippi's next generation workforce. When
industry and education work together, the possibilities for our
children and our economy are endless," said Lt. Governor
Delbert Hosemann. "We appreciate
Toyota's substantial investment in these districts and hope this
example will spur other similar partnerships across the
state."
Mississippi is the ninth site
to launch the Driving Possibilities initiative. To date, nearly
$72 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 initiative is funded by Toyota USA Foundation with additional funds provided
by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services
(TFS).
In 2022, the Toyota USA
Foundation's Driving Possibilities initiative was launched as a
unique way to bring together educators, local and national
nonprofits, industry and communities to create limitless
possibilities for all. With more than 65 years of active community
support across the U.S., efforts span the PreK-12 education
continuum, with a foundation in the model developed in the
West Dallas area. This is the
largest and most comprehensive social innovation effort in Toyota's
history.
Toyota USA
Foundation
The Toyota USA Foundation is a
charitable endowment created to support education programs serving
PreK through 12th-grade students and their teachers in the United States, with an emphasis on
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). For more
information about the Toyota USA
Foundation, visit www.toyotaeffect.com/impact
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the
U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing
sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S.
who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of
more than 34 million cars and trucks. We operate 11 manufacturing
facilities in the U.S., including our new battery plant in
North Carolina set for start of
production in 2025, and the joint venture plant with Mazda in
Alabama. With more electrified
vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently
offers 30 electrified options.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in
STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual
education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience
and chance to virtually visit many of our U.S. manufacturing
facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based
lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips
and more.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota
USA Foundation has committed to
creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership
with, historically underserved communities near the company's U.S.
operating sites.
For more information about Toyota,
visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Media Contacts:
Tiffannie Hedin
tiffannie.hedin@toyota.com
Amanda Roark
amanda.roark@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America
