Toyota is investing in environmental science education with a $400,000 gift to the University of California at Santa Barbara. The money is going to the graduate program at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Education to fund a summer internship program for students working toward their master's degrees in the environmental science area. The money will also fund a Professor in Residence program that will allow faculty from the Bren School to go on research trips with high school teachers to places like Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands as part of Toyota's International Teacher Program. Given the varied environmental issues we face (both about the extent of the problems and how best to address them) the more that educators and scientists can learn and pass on to others, the better.

[Source: Toyota Open Road Blog]

Another school is jumping on the bandwagon to educate people in renewable energy. Once they get the go ahead from the Board of Higher Education Approval, Illinois State University will start offering a bachelor's degree program focused on renewable energy. The school's Department of Technology will run the multi-disciplinary program that will also include major components in economics and public policy. Students in the program can also choose to concentrate in wind or ethanol.

ISU is not the first to offer such a program, as it follows Arizona State and Canton College. The idea of providing training in both the technology including agriculture, chemistry, and math in addition to the economics, geography, government, and politics could be very promising. Hopefully it will produce some graduates that understand all the realities of renewable energy and can make better informed decisions.

[Source: Illinois State University via TreeHugger]

A non-profit group is organizing what is claimed to be the first hybrid electric car show this summer, July 22nd, in Madison, Wisconsin. The event is being promoted as a grass-roots effort by a number of hybrid vehicle owners with no ties to the automotive industry. While the traditional car show might be all about showing your hardware and socializing with enthusiasts, this event wants to educate the public about hybrid cars as well - a worthwile cause in our opinion. For the small fee of $25 your hybrid car can be part of the show.

[Source: EV World]