The Toyota USA Foundation has awarded Mills College a three-year grant of $275,562 for the Toyota Math and Science Experience. The grant will support a demonstration program to strengthen math and science education for 9th and 10th grade girls from underrepresented communities in Alameda County.
According to the Toyota, beginning in summer 2007 and extending through summer 2009, 30 girls entering the 9th grade in the fall of each year will enroll in the intensive two-week summer residential math and science program at Mills. In 2008 and 2009, ten girls entering the 10th grade that fall will be added to the program. Participants will be recruited from the College's one-day conference, Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science (EYH) that provides math and science education to 350 6th–8th graders every March. Since its inception at Mills in 1976, EYH has extended to 115 sites nationwide, sparking girls' career interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Toyota program will add 110 girls to EYH for a total of 1,160 middle and high school girls served in a three-year period. Advanced math and science Mills students will tutor the girls every Saturday throughout the academic year.
"We are delighted that Toyota is supporting Mills' initiative to encourage young women's excellence in math and science," said Janet L. Holmgren, President, Mills College. "Mills is particularly committed to providing an environment of success for girls from underrepresented communities who may become future leaders in math and science."
"We're proud to support the Toyota Math and Science Experience at Mills College," said Patricia Pineda, group vice president, legal, philanthropy and administration at Toyota Motor North America. "Toyota has always been committed to education and we're very aware of the importance of a math and science education, areas that are increasingly becoming important drivers of our economy," she added. "Innovative, hands-on programs like those at Mills have already proven successful in reaching diverse communities. They are essential for fostering interest among young women and building their confidence in these areas."
About Mills College
According to the Toyota, Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs to approximately 900 undergraduate women and 500 graduate women and men. Ranked one of the top colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report and one of the Best 366 Colleges by The Princeton Review, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women's leadership, social responsibility, and creativity. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California, on 135 lush acres, Mills was recently selected by the New York Times as one of three outstanding California colleges for students to consider.
About The Toyota USA Foundation
Accordin go the Toyota, The Toyota USA Foundation is a $42 million charitable endowment created to support education programs serving kindergarten through 12th grade students and their teachers in the United States, with an emphasis on mathematics and science.
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