JAMA offers high school teachers inside look at green design

Kentucky high school teachers recently took part in a green design workshop at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky.

The one-day meeting and auto factory gave teachers the tools to encourage innovative student thinking about solutions to community and global environmental challenges. It was put on by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

"Environmental protection is a priority issue for the Japanese automotive industry. Our member companies continue to develop cutting-edge technology to counter global warming and to improve air quality. Japanese automakers have taken the lead to introduce hybrid technologies in the U.S. and are exploring other forms of energy," says William Duncan, general director, JAMA USA.

The school program,"The Green Innovator," co-produced with New York based SolarOne, aims to help teachers begin a new dialogue with their students about the integral role of the design and manufacturing processes in a transition to a more sustainable future.

The curriculum provides focal points for students to discuss design for the environment, automobiles and Green manufacturing, sustainable community planning and Green product design.

Following the presentation of the "Green Innovator" curriculum and workshop, the teachers toured the Toyota factory and had a question and answer session about the design and manufacturing processes.

This program is an outgrowth of the 13-year "What's Up Factories" that brought teachers from around the U.S. to Japanese auto manufacturing plants in order to encourage their students to consider a career in the auto industry.

For more information, visit www.jama.org.