Toshiba Announces $83,000 in Grants for 34 Innovative Classroom STEM Projects

12/14/2023

New Grant Awards from the Toshiba America Foundation to Support Exciting Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Education Programs in Grades K-12

Orange County, Calif., December 14, 2023 - The Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is delighted to announce the allocation of over $83,000 in grants to fund 34 innovative classroom STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects for students in grades K through 12.

These grants will empower students to explore a diverse array of subjects, encompassing biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, medicine, and environmental science. Beyond academic enrichment, they will address pressing local community challenges through creative, hands-on lessons centered on coding, robotics, marine science, and sustainability initiatives. The common thread connecting all 34 projects is their introduction of inventive approaches to bring STEM disciplines to life within the classroom.

One standout recipient of this grant is Mr. Grant’s " Impacting Vulnerable Students & Citizens Through Engineering" project at Marietta High School, Marietta, GA. This initiative educates students in applying algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mechanics, materials science, and physics to devise innovative solutions for real-world challenges. The program emphasizes teamwork, effective communication of ideas, and presenting projects to a panel comprising judges and advisors from community partners. Students engage in hands-on activities such as designing and constructing tiny house models for fictional families grappling with homelessness or housing insecurity. Additionally, they develop conceptual models for a device aimed at facilitating communication for nonverbal and visually impaired children on the playground. The culmination of their efforts will be displayed in a 'Shark Tank'-style event at the end of the school year.

"STEM occupations are indispensable for the long-term growth and stability of the U.S. economy," emphasized John Anderson, President of TAF. "STEM education is the linchpin for nurturing critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators who will steer our country towards progress. Through these grants, TAF empowers educators to craft dynamic and immersive STEM classrooms that ignite curiosity and challenge students to pursue careers in these pivotal fields. By investing in the next generation of STEM leaders, we are laying the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for all."

TAF's grants follow a "direct-to-teacher" approach, designed to fund projects conceived by inventive classroom teachers, ensuring immediate impact. With this funding, educators can enhance their STEM teaching methodologies by incorporating hands-on experimental equipment and project-based learning into their curricula. TAF firmly believes that learning STEM subjects through such experiential approaches is not only more enjoyable but also more effective than relying solely on traditional textbooks.

STEM educators interested in applying for a K-5 TAF grant should apply here by Oct. 1. STEM educators interested in applying for a 6-12 TAF grant can apply here. The deadlines for > $5K are May 1 and Nov. 1. The deadlines for < $5K are March 1, June 1, Sept. 1, and Dec. 1.

About Toshiba America Foundation

Founded in 1990 with support from Toshiba Corporation and the Toshiba America Group Companies, Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is a non-profit grant making organization dedicated to helping classroom teachers make STEM learning fun and successful for K to 12 students in U.S. schools. TAF grants support public and nonprofit private schools throughout the United States. For more information, please visit:www.toshiba.com/taf.

Toshiba America Foundation Contact: Mizuho Fischer at mizuho.fischer@toshiba.com

A list of TAF Grant Recipients:

K-5 grades Organization Information	Project Title	Teacher	Amount
Banks County Elementary, South Homer, GA	Hello Hydropond	Wendy May Fuschetti	1,000
Boeckman Creek Primary School, Wilsonville, OR	Aquatic Habitats: Exploring Desktop Ponds	Ella Smoot	835
Booker T. Washington Elementary, TAMPA, FL	Let's Get Cookin': Solar Oven Style	Tanelia Walton	381
Canfield Local Schools - CH Campbell Elementary, CANFIELD, OH	Reaching for the Stars: Rocket Science and STEM Exploration	Patti Hockensmith	991
Chester M. Stephens Elementary School, BUDD LAKE, NJ	STEAM Chicken Embryology and Life Cycle Study	Arielle Testa	1,000
Citizens of the World Charter School - East Valley, Valley Village, CA	Exploring Weather, Force, Motion and Magnets through inquiry and supporting Mystery Science curriculum with investigative supplies	Lucie Gottlieb	1,000
Clarence Galm Elementary School, San Antonio, TX	Coding with Makey Makey	Bonnie Hernandez	715
Cross Lanes Elementary, Charleston, WV	Physics of Pinball	Tiffany Pace	940
Drayton Hall Elementary, Charleston, SC	Science of Steel Drums	Necie Wald	992
Eastlawn Elementary School, Burlington, NC	Renewable energy and agricultural technology	Shavon Via	1,000
Glenpool Elementary School, Glenpool, OK	Primary Problem Solvers	Rachel Welch	82
Indian Hill Elementary School, Cincinnati, OH	Powerful Pollinators: Eco-System Preserving Paradise	Amanda Sopko	1,000
Litzsinger School, Ladue, MO	Hot Wheels, Legos and Play-Doh, Oh My!	Amanda Wise	1,000
Lloyd Estate Elementary, Oakland Park, FL	Peace Floor Piano	Saba Moin	836
Manchester City Schools, Manchester, TN	3d printed Rocket race	Cole Johnson	950
Marion Local School, Maria Stein, OH	Real World Math Problems Influenced By New School Bldg.	Kim Droesch	999
Mississinawa Valley, Union City, OH	Farming for Energy	Denise Mayo	500
Northside Elementary School, Newnan, GA	Snap Circuits, STEM Learning and Beyond	Laura Crymes	792
Norwood Fontbonne Academy, Philadelphia, PA	Hummingbird Kits for Upper Elementary Scientific Investigators Curriculum	Megan Stotz	936
Porter Township School Corporation, Hebron, IN	Hatching Comparison	Luke Mazur	308
Robinson Elementary School, Starksboro, VT	Robinson School's Interactive Billboards Project	Kerry Lake	874
Roosevelt Elementary School, Burlingame, CA	Empowering Tomorrow's Engineers: Maglev Train Educational Program	Tim Weaver	566
Samuel Bissel Elementary School, Twinsburg, OH	Hydroponic Growing Station	Drina Jolly	1,000
South Hamilton CSD, Jewell, IA	Turtle Town	Dede Henderson	722
St. James-Santee Elementary Middle School, Mcclellanville, SC	Engineers for Earth	Casey Marlowe	1,000
St. John Lutheran Church and School, Wrightstown, WI	Green STEM Innovators: Nurturing Sustainable Agriculture	Dillon Solomon	1,000
Wayside Schools Eden Park ACademy, Austin, TX	Greenhouse Project	Stephanie Ferrell	893
6-12 grades Organization Information
Church Hill Intermediate School, Church Hill, TN	Physics on the Fast Track: Racing Towards Engag.	Jessica Drinnon	964
Hamden Collaborative Learning Center, Hamden, CT	Next Gen 4 C's: Creative Collaborations Create Community	Ashley Mulligan	5,000
Laurel Concord Coleridge Middle School, Coleridge, NE	LCC Middle School Imagination and Creation Destination	Alex McKamy	2,618
Pocahontas Area Community School District, SW Pocahontas, IA	Pocahontas StatoStar - Send us to space!	Brian Bowers	4,775
Southridge Jr High - Moore PS, Oklahoma City, OK	Making Micro:bit Magic	Annissa Francis	4,062
The Sage School, INC., Hailey, ID	"Who's In My Backyard?"	Harry Weekes	1,181
Southcrest Christian School, Lubbock, TX	The wonders of the invisible: Art's power to reveal the hidden facets of STEM concepts in real world application	Milene de Farias	4,683
De Portola Middle School, San Diego, CA	Electric Guitar Guild	Kevin White	5,000
RCSA Middle High School, Jacksonville, FL	RCSA Middle High School STEM Garden Project	Jarred Shaw	394
Lake Catholic High School, Mentor, OH	Tower gardening	Christine Ronzi	2,646
Marietta High School, Marietta, GA	Impacting Vulnerable Students & Citizens Through Engineering	Leon Grant, Sara Evans	5,000
Midtown High School, NE Atlanta, GA	Coding with Drones	Tre'Nee Uzoka	3,975
Montrose School, 29 North St, Medfield, MA	Bringing Real World Scientific Collaboration and Communication to the HS Classroom	Allison Daubert	4,992
Valley View Junior High, Farmersville, OH	Space Farmers	Jill Weaver	5,000
Ripon High School, Ripon, WI	Groundwater Model Project	Brad Roost	2,517
Glasgow Middle School, Alexandria, VA	3D Printer for Community Projects	Evan Duffy-Ledbetter	4,000
West Oso Junior High, Corpus Christi, TX	AI & Raspberry Pi's	Noelle Zhalkovskyi	3,975
GRAND TOTAL			83,893

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