National Press Release

Eighty-two Teachers Nationwide to Receive Grants Totaling $550,000

TORRANCE, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. announced today $550,000 in grants will be awarded to 82 teachers as part of the Toyota TAPESTRY: Grants for Science Teachers Program for their outstanding science project proposals. The announcement was made at the 2009 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans, La.

As the nation's largest science teacher grant program, the Toyota TAPESTRY Program awards grants for science programs submitted by teachers from across the country. The winning programs will be executed by the teachers and their students over the next year. This year, 82 teachers in grades K-12 nationwide - as well as one from Puerto Rico - submitted proposals for funding and were selected from more than 593 applications. Winning projects will begin classroom implementation beginning in June 2009.

Of the $550,000 granted, 50 teachers receive large grants of up to $10,000 each, and 32 receive mini grants of up to $2,500 each. More than $8.5 million has been awarded to 1,064 teams of teachers throughout the program's 19-year history.

"Toyota TAPESTRY large and mini grants provide the means for excellent teachers to take their instruction into the 21st century," said Jenna Hallman, a 2007 TAPESTRY winner and this year's South Carolina Teacher of the Year. "We know our students will be using technology someday that is yet to be invented as they solve problems that don't yet exist. The TAPESTRY program afforded my team the opportunity to purchase incredible amounts of materials and arrange for experiences that allow us to help them prepare for that future. The overall impact of Toyota TAPESTRY is immeasurable, but I can assure you the students involved in these projects will one day change the world."

Judges, accomplished in various areas of science, select projects that stand out in creativity, risk-taking and originality in three areas: environmental science, physical science and integrating literacy and science. This year's Toyota TAPESTRY Program projects explore topics ranging from testing hydroponic gardening techniques to reenacting the first trans-Atlantic flight.

"Supporting excellent teachers who can excite and energize their students is a great way to make an impact on future generations," said Michael Rouse, Toyota's vice president of philanthropy and community affairs. "TAPESTRY's reach over the past 19 years has allowed countless numbers of students to be inspired by the possibilities of science education."

Toyota TAPESTRY is open to elementary, middle and high school science teachers in the United States and its territories, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Teachers may apply individually or in teams. Applications are submitted online and are due in January each year. For more information about Toyota TAPESTRY grants, visit www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry or call (800) 807-9852.

About Toyota's Education Programs

In addition to sponsoring a number of nonprofit educational organizations, Toyota offers three major programs that support teachers with grants and students with scholarships; Toyota Community Scholars, which provides 100 scholarships to high school seniors based on academics and community service; the Toyota International Teacher Program, a study-abroad program for secondary teachers in Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands; and Toyota TAPESTRY.

Toyota also supports scholarships through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; United Negro College Fund; Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation; National FFA and the American Indian College Fund. In 2007, Toyota USA contributed $57 million to U.S. philanthropic programs, with a majority of funding supporting education. For more information, visit www.toyota.com/community or contact kathy_mota@toyota.com.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 36,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $17 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $464 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit www.toyota.com/community.

About National Science Teachers Association

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 57,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

    Media Conact:
    Lyndsey Payzant
    GolinHarris for Toyota
    (213) 438-8753
    lpayzant@golinharris.com

SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.