Toshiba to provide $50,000-plus for innovative classroom STEM projects

The Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) has announced nearly $50,000 in grants for 15 innovative classroom STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematic) projects in grades 6-12.

Due to COVID-19 and the shift to remote learning TAF expanded the scope of its grant review process to support distance learning and teaching using novel ways to use incorporate hands-on activities such as coding, robotics, remote learning, software, and 3D printing.

Among them are grants for students to learn and address community issues such as environmental science, engineering, geometry, math, and physics.

These represent all new ways to use STEM in the classroom or via virtual learning. For example, students at West Hollow Middle School, Melville, NY will purchase environmental robotics supply source to create an automated growing system that could collect long-term plant data. This could be for use in the ISS during space travel or in terrestrial applications where urbanization or climate concerns require the growth of food to be done indoors.

Harvested produce will be made available to those in our community struggling with food insecurity through our partnership with a local food bank.

“Science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators,” said TAF president, John Anderson. “The grants make the STEM classroom more exciting for both teachers and students.”

Toshiba America Foundation’s grants aim to fund projects designed by innovative classroom teachers. This “direct-to-teacher” approach brings immediate results. Teachers are able to enhance the way they teach STEM subjects because the grant supports equipment for hands-on experiments and project based learning in the curriculum.

At TAF, it’s believed that learning STEM subjects is a lot more fun and engaging than just reading a textbook.