Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers

Support for Innovative Classroom Science Projects

Administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Toyota Tapestry grants recognize outstanding educators who demonstrate excellence and creativity in science teaching. Since 1991 the program has awarded more than $8 million to 986 teams of teachers for innovative science classroom projects.

This year, 50 large grants of up to $10,000 each and 20–32 mini-grants of up to $2,500, totaling $550,000 in all, will be awarded to K–12 teachers of science in the United States. The project categories are:

• physical science application
• environmental science education
• integrating literacy and science.

To apply for funding, qualified teachers must submit a Toyota Tapestry proposal online. Specifics include:

• The project director should begin the proposal process. This is the person who will be in charge of the project and implement it during the 2009–10 school year.
• The project director must be:
  • a middle or high school science teacher who teaches a minimum of two science classes per day; or
  • an elementary teacher who teaches some science in the classroom.
• All applicants must have a minimum of at least two years science teaching experience in a K–12 school—not including the current school year.
• Staff people (up to four allowed) may also work on the proposal.
• Applicants may submit only one proposal per year as project director.

The deadline for completing the online application is 11:59 p.m., EST, Wednesday, January 21, 2009. Recipients will be notified by March 4, 2009. Non-recipients will be notified by May 31, 2009. Visit tapestry.nsta.org for more information and to begin the proposal submission process.