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Toshiba Announces $119,704 in Grants for 27 Innovative STEM Classroom Projects

08/20/2026

New awards from Toshiba America Foundation support creative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education programs for grades 6–12.

Orange County, Calif. — August 20, 2026 — Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) today announced $119,704 in grants to fund 27 classroom projects for students in grades 6–12. These awards empower educators nationwide to bring STEM to life through hands-on, project-based learning.

The new grants will support programs in agriscience, biology, botany, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and more. Many projects also address community challenges through real-world applications in coding, robotics, drones, virtual reality, and sustainability.

One recipient, Mr. Castro of Amesbury High School will use a Blue Robotics boat purchased with Toshiba funds, his students will design, deploy, and operate high-precision sensor arrays to map critical water quality issues such as salinity, pH, and turbidity in local freshwater and tidal systems. Their findings will be shared with the local business, political and environmental communities.

“STEM occupations are vital to the long-term growth and stability of the U.S. economy,” said John Anderson, President of TAF. “Through these grants, TAF empowers teachers to create engaging experiences that inspire the next generation of problem solvers, innovators, and leaders.”

TAF’s “direct-to-teacher” grant model ensures immediate impact, funding classroom projects designed by educators themselves. By supporting creative, hands-on approaches to learning, the Foundation helps students see STEM as both accessible and exciting.

STEM educators interested in applying for a TAF grant can find details below:

  • K–5 Grant Deadline: October 1
  • Grades 6–12 Grant Deadlines:
    • For grants over $5,000: May 1 and November 1
    • For grants of $5,000 or less: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 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:

School

Project

Teacher

$

Amesbury High School, Amesbury MA

Project: AWQ REDHAWK: An Autonomous Environmental River Logger for Student-Led Water Quality Mapping and Analysis

Mark Casto

8,946

Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton MA

From Genes to Gels: Empowering Student Sciences Through DNA Analysis

Diana Hopkins, Richard Fitzpatrick

5,853

Forest Ridge Academy, Schererville IN

Food Science for Middle School

Margaret Leitelt

5,970

Half Hollow Hills High School East, Dix Hills NY

Using Plant Electrophysiology to Optimize Crop Health

Chris Regini

6,000

John Boise Middle School, Warsaw MO

Applying Energy Transfer and Efficiency Concepts Through Drone-Based Engineering Design

Kari Winters

5,834

Robert H. Lewis High School, Sun Valley CA

Growing Equity

Harald Holcomb

6,388

Vinton High School, Vinton LA

LionLab STEM Human Performance Research and Innovation Laboratory

Guidry Kimberly

8,800

Big Walnut High School, Sunbury OH

Providing Hands-On Biotechnology Instruction to Improve Student Engagement

Noah Taylor

4,969

Breese Elementary, Breese IL

Storm Safety Engineers: Designing Solutions for Extreme Weather

Patty Sander

2,750

Cane Bay Middle School, Summerville SC

From Trash to Tech: Student Powered Plastic Recycling Lab

Julie Samosuk

4,736

Coconut Creek K-8 Academy Of Excellence, Coconut Creek FL

Florida Alive, A living Ecosystem

Ghadeer Alshawabkeh

4,560

Dutchman Creek Middle School, Rock Hill SC

Transforming STEM Review into Immersive Scientific Investigation

Roger Sanders

4,746

Harrison County Catholic School, Clarksburg WV

Trout in the Classroom Project

Susan Ricketts

1,933

Jefferson Middle School, Merritt Island, FL

Empowering Future Innovators Through Earth & Space Science Exploration

Brittany Marks

1,758

Landmark School, Prides Crossing, MA

Building Scientists in the Field: A Student-Driven Coastal STEAM Program on Misery Island

Douglas Walker

3,432

Libby Middle School, West Richland, WA

Libby Plant Restoration Project

Jared Farley

4,655

Lincoln Charter School, Denver NC

Accessible Art Lab: Student-Led Adaptive Design

Raymond Hutchinson

4,000

Lockhart ISD, Lockhart TX

Engineering Energy: Transforming STEM Learning Through Hands-On Investigation

Dawn Ramzinski

2,167

Mount Garfield Middle School, Clifton CO

Bring the Ocean to the Classroom

Marissa Vrooman

1,190

New Knoxville High School, New Knoxville, OH

Bionic Innovations: Engineering Adaptive Solutions

Natalie Stuttler

1,201

Olson Middle School, Tabernacle, NJ

Pythagoras and Music

Zachary Lutz

4,748

Osceola High School, Kissimmee FL

Forensic Science 2

Stacy Nichols

5,000

Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alhambra, CA

Survive the Shake: Structural Engineering Challenge

Aulikki Flagan

5,000

Stem Middle School, Dearborn Heights MI

Drive the Future: From Model T to Solar Mobility

Marla Kimmel

4,285

Stratford Stem Magnet High School, Nashville, TN

From Bee to Bottle: Data-Driven Beekeeping and Process Engineering

Jesi Seifert

4,990

Verde Valley School, Sedona, AZ

VVS Local Water Quality Testing

Kaylyn Oates

2,293

Whittier High School, Whittier, CA

Secure IoT Sensor Network Design Challenge

Steven Swanson

3,500

Total

   

119,704

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