Toyota Motor Sales USA has announced $550,000 in Toyota TAPESTRY grants to 82 teachers in grades K-12 nationwide for their outstanding science project proposals. The winners were chosen from nearly 600 applications.

Of the $550,000 granted, 50 teachers will receive large grants of up to $10,000 each, and 32 will receive mini-grants of up to $2,500 each. Toyota has awarded more than $8.5 million to 1,064 teams of teachers throughout the program's 19-year history.

Judges choose proposals that stand out for their creativity, risk-taking, and originality in three areas: environmental science, physical science, and integrating literacy and science. This year's winning projects explore topics ranging from testing hydroponic gardening techniques to reenacting the first trans-Atlantic flight.

"Toyota TAPESTRY large and mini-grants provide the means for excellent teachers to take their instruction into the 21st century," said Jenna Hallman, a 2007 TAPESTRY winner and this year's South Carolina Teacher of the Year.  "We know our students will be using technology someday that is yet to be invented as they solve problems that don't yet exist. The TAPESTRY program afforded my team the opportunity to purchase incredible amounts of materials and arrange for experiences that allow us to help them prepare for that future."

Toyota TAPESTRY is open to elementary, middle, and high school science teachers in the United States and its territories. Teachers may apply individually or in teams. Applications are submitted online and are due in January each year.