University of Evansville to lead Toyota Indiana STEM initiative
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The University of Evansville and Toyota Indiana on Friday announced a new partnership to support the automaker’s Driving Possibilities initiative.
First announced one year ago, the initiative aims to prepare students in southwest Indiana for future STEM careers.
The partnership includes the Toyota USA Foundation, North Gibson School Corp. and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., and is being made possible by a $2 million grant.
UE will serve as the coordinating partner for the initiative, led by the university’s Center for Innovation and Change. A co-design process over the last year has led to several improvements at the two school districts, the university said, including a new pre-K learning center, STEM-based playground at Princeton Community Primary School, and experiential learning opportunities for K-12 students.
“This award is more than just an investment in our university; it’s an investment in the future of our region’s students and educators, underscoring the profound impact that can be achieved when universities, corporate allies, and communities unite towards a common goal,” UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz said in a news release.
UE said the Center for Innovation and Change will lead the initiative with Susan Nyberg, a UE alumna and recently hired program manager.
The university’s School of Education will also be involved by housing a new Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness, or IN-MaC, Design and Innovation Training Studio. The studio will serve as a hub for training teachers on robotics, coding, engineering, and science learning modules.
“Our partnership with UE is a natural one – we both believe in impacting our community for the better, and doing so in innovative ways that are designed by those we serve,” said Tim Hollander, President of Toyota Indiana. “We couldn’t be more excited to see how UE can lend its unique vision for higher education to supporting our K-12 and industry partners in Driving Possibilities.”
We’ll have more on the partnership with President Pietruszkiewicz in Monday’s INside Edge Midday Report newsletter.