Pollock Pines Sierra Ridge Middle School teacher Steve Simpson has been awarded $10,000 grant for excellence and innovation in science education. Gardening project has several goals. The first goal, getting kids outside "doing" math and science, has students measuring, planning, calculating slope, probing compost piles, playing in the mud, gardening, and planting trees alongside the US Forest Service tree planters. Through the use of experiments and observations the students will study the causes and prevention of erosion at school and throughout the world. To help fertilize the garden students will begin a worm composting and ordinary composting program that will recycle cafeteria scraps for plant experiments and garden fertilizer.
Steve Simpson were among 50 teachers nationwide to receive the Toyota TAPESTRY grant sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales USA and the National Science Teachers Association. The grants will be used by to help teach his students about pollution and erosion.
Where
Have all the Flowers Gone?
Project Director: Steve Simpson
Staff: Barbara Simpson
Sierra Ridge Middle School
2700 Amber Trail
Pollock Pines, CA 95726
530-644-2031
ssimpson@ppesd.org
Why
is Toyota involved with the Toyota TAPESTRY project?
Toyota's philanthropic focus is pre-collegiate education. They want students
and teachers to have opportunities to learn through doing, not just through
theory.
Why
is Toyota sponsoring a program targeting pre-collegiate science teachers?
While there are many funding sources available at the collegiate level,
there are limited opportunities for pre-collegiate teachers to obtain funds for
innovative teaching projects. Toyota TAPESTRY grants are a unique source of
support for teachers who have an early influence on students.
What
are the goals and objectives of the program?
To recognize outstanding science teachers and give students hands-on
exposure to science at an early age. We hope that young people are inspired to
pursue careers in the sciences including teaching.
What
is the relationship between Toyota and the National Science Teachers
Association?
Toyota TAPESTRY is a partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and NSTA.
Toyota funds and NSTA administers the program.
How
are the judges selected?
NSTA selected 24 top science educators in environmental science, physical
science, and integrating literacy and science to serve as judges.
