Home » Toyota funds STEM-focused curriculum in 11 Kentucky schools

Toyota funds STEM-focused curriculum in 11 Kentucky schools

$150,000 grant supports Project Lead The Way, creates pathways to STEM careers

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (May 7, 2018) – Toyota, together with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), awarded $150,000 in grants to eleven K-12 schools in Central Kentucky 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 a curriculum focused on computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, while helping create engaging, hands-on classrooms for students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to thrive.

“As an engineer and someone who loves science, creating opportunities for more students to explore STEM education is exciting,” said Susan Elkington, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. “But, there is also an urgent and critical need to get more young people interested in STEM. Investing in programs like Project Lead The Way and developing partnerships with local schools is an important step in preparing Kentucky’s next generation of thinkers and doers for the jobs of the future.”

Last year, PLTW received a $2 million grant from the Toyota USA Foundation to support approximately 115 K-12 schools throughout the United States. PLTW offers complete K-12 pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science through its programs PLTW Launch (K-5), PLTW Gateway (6-8), and PLTW Computer Science (9-12), PLTW Engineering (9-12), and PLTW Biomedical Science (9-12).

Five Harrison County schools were among the grant recipients. “This is our 17th year partnering with Project Lead the Way to enhance STEM opportunities in our schools,” said Jenny Lynn Hatter, chief academic officer for Harrison County Schools. “Starting as early as elementary school, PLTW creates cohesive learning pathways for students that lead to jobs. We’re excited to be able to offer the PLTW curriculum to more grade levels in our schools, after having a very successful PLTW pre-engineering program in our high school for many years.”

Grant recipients include:

  • Campbell Co. Middle School (Campbell Co.)
  • Northside Elementary School (Harrison Co.)
  • Southside Elementary School (Harrison Co.)
  • Westside Elementary School (Harrison Co.)
  • Eastside Elementary School (Harrison Co.)
  • Harrison Co. Middle School (Harrison Co.)
  • Robert D. Campbell Middle School (Clark Co.)
  • Ashland Elementary (Fayette Co.)
  • Oldham Co. Middle School (Oldham Co.)
  • Northside Elementary (Woodford Co.)
  • Beechwood Elementary School (Beechwood Independent)