Press Release
Fueling the Future

Toyota and Horizon Educational Group Challenge SoCal High School Students to Build Fuel Cell Vehicles

TORRANCE, CALIF. (Aug. 9, 2016) – Game-based learning. Augmented reality virtual field trips. Biometric eye-tracking to determine how students absorb and understand content.

Today’s classroom is evolving. The next generation of innovators crave hands-on learning experiences and working alongside professionals who share their passion. Toyota embraces this collaborative spirit and an ongoing commitment to STEM education. That’s why Toyota is partnering with Horizon Educational Group to bring the Hydrogen Horizon Automotive Challenge to 20 California schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

The Hydrogen Horizon Automotive Challenge is a semester-long, afterschool program focused on alternative fuels and climate change. During the unique, hands-on program, teams of high school students have the opportunity to build their own fuel cell remote control vehicles and learn first-hand about the future of fuel cell technology. The program kicks off today with a teacher training event at Toyota’s offices in Torrance, California and will cross the finish line when student teams race their fuel cells vehicles in March 2017.

"The Hydrogen Horizon Automotive Challenge provides an opportunity to introduce the next generation of innovators to fuel cell technology,” said Doug Coleman, Toyota national vehicle marketing manager. “We hope this challenge encourages students to join Toyota in the effort to create a more eco-conscious and sustainable future.”

The customized, interactive STEM curriculum is rooted in the design principles of the Toyota Mirai, including exploring challenges and solutions Mirai engineers experienced during vehicle development, with a focus on renewable energy technology. In addition to support from Toyota fuel cell engineers, the students will be coached by trailblazing Mirai owners and work with members of a Toyota NASCAR Pit Crew for their final race.

Participating schools include 10 each from Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Several schools contain largely multicultural – Hispanic, African-American or Asian-American – student bodies. The participation of these schools reaffirms Toyota’s commitment to supporting innovators from all communities and backgrounds. Participating schools are in development, with the following confirmed:

Los Angeles:

Oakwood School
San Pedro High School
Banning Academies of Creative & Innovative Sciences
Fremont Math and Science Technology Magnet
West Adams Prep High School
Chaminade High School
Downtown Business Magnet
Hamilton High School
Beverly Hills High School

Orange County:

Irvine High School
Mater Dei
University High Irvine
Mission Viejo High School
El Toro High School
Edison High School
John F. Kennedy High School
Cornelia Connelly School
Servite High School

Horizon Educational is dedicated to providing fun and meaningful learning experiences through adapting innovative technologies into classrooms while maintaining robust academic standards. Passionate about sustainability, Horizon puts the learning experience in the context of how to solve the big challenges of the 21st century.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. There are 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the United States, which sold more than 2.5 million vehicles in 2015. Toyota directly employs over 32,000 in the United States and its investment here is currently valued at more than $20.1 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals over $32.2 billion.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com

About Horizon Educational

Horizon Educational is dedicated to promoting STEM education and creating unique hands-on learning experiences for students around the world. Our science equipment and curricular materials allow students to explore the technology behind different renewable energy sources such as fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines. We hope to inspire next generation of innovators to enter a STEM-related career field with the potential of solving one of the 21st century’s greatest problems, global climate change. For more information, visit http://www.horizoneducational.com/

CONTACTS:
Toyota Communications
Jana Hartline
(310) 779-0415

Allison+Partners for Toyota
Kyle Cabodi
(310) 496-4474

Media website:
http://www.toyotanewsroom.com

Public websites:
http://www.toyota.com
http://www.lexus.com