Toyota, CienciaPR launch STEM Lab for public schools
Toyota de Puerto Rico and Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR) have announced a partnership to strengthen STEM education in the island’s public high schools, launching the new Toyota STEM Lab to encourage hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The initiative is intended to introduce applied projects that foster curiosity, problem-solving and creativity, the organizations said.
“At Toyota, we firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for transforming lives and communities,” said Dany Oliva, vice president of Toyota de Puerto Rico.
He added that the company wants to “inspire young people to explore, create and discover their potential in fields that are essential for the future of Puerto Rico.”
As part of the collaboration, students will participate in the first edition of the Toyota STEM Lab, which the partners said is designed to offer real-world experience through practical STEM-based challenges.
Greetchen Díaz, executive director of CienciaPR, said the program expands access to meaningful scientific opportunities.
“The Toyota STEM Lab gives students the opportunity to learn by doing, to apply scientific principles to real-world problems and to develop confidence in their ability to innovate,” she said.
Fifteen specialized and vocational schools will take part in an engineering and robotics challenge to build a lightweight modular vehicle made primarily from recycled or eco-friendly materials.
Students will apply concepts involving design, balance, structural efficiency and marketing while demonstrating the reliability and sustainability of their vehicles during final presentations. They will have three months to complete the project with support from mentors affiliated with CienciaPR.
Oliva said the effort reflects Toyota’s broader commitment to supporting innovation.
“The Toyota STEM Lab provides young people with a platform to innovate and create while exploring the operational side of managing a project,” he said, adding that he is confident the experience will help students pursue future careers in STEM fields.
