ExxonMobil Partners to Promote Math and Science Education & Careers

Noria news wires, Noria Corporation

Exxon Mobil Corporation announced September 22 that it has increased its investment in math and science education through a partnership with Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel in space.

The Sally Ride Science Academy brought to you by ExxonMobil will encourage student interest in math and science education though curriculum augmentation, programs to make math and science more relevant, constructive feedback skills training and tools to promote careers in math and science. In addition, the Academy will provide gender equity training to help educators foster an encouraging and collaborative learning environment.

“ExxonMobil’s long-time involvement with education and Sally Ride’s passion for math and science complement each other perfectly,” said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer. “Together we share the goal of preparing young people, particularly young girls, for careers in science, technology, engineering and math.”

Dr. Ride, president and CEO of Sally Ride Science, noted that over the past decade, the number of young people prepared to enter the fields of math and science has decreased.

“The Sally Ride Science Academy brought to you by ExxonMobil will give teachers and counselors the tools they need to help students learn to love math and science the way I do,” said Dr. Ride. “We’ll help them open students’ eyes to the wonders of science and the fantastic careers that await them.”

A pilot session of the Sally Ride Science Academy brought to you by ExxonMobil was held in July and included 120 educators from Paradise Valley, Ariz.; Arlington, Va.; the California communities of Orange County, San Diego and Torrance; and the Texas communities of Aldine, Austin, Beaumont, Carroll, Cypress-Fairbanks, Houston, Irving and San Antonio.

During the summer of 2010, the Sally Ride Science Academy is expected to expand to three sessions, two for elementary school teachers, and one for middle school teachers who will be selected in conjunction with administrators from targeted school districts.

The Sally Ride Science Academy brought to you by ExxonMobil is one of several significant programs established by the company to support math and science education in the United States.

ExxonMobil’s support for math and science education includes a $125 million commitment to the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). NMSI, which includes Dr. Ride on the board of directors, recently released promising results from its first year of concerted efforts to expand the reach of the college-level program, Advanced Placement, known as AP.

The number of students passing AP math, science and English exams increased by 51 percent at participating schools, more than nine times the national average. The results for underrepresented populations were even better: African American and Hispanic students passed 71 percent more AP exams, and girls passed 55 percent more.

Other ExxonMobil education initiatives include the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, a partnership with PGA golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, which has equipped more than 2,000 teachers with innovative tools to inspire students in math and science. Working with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, the Academy offers a five-day program each summer to provide third- through fifth-grade teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to motivate students to pursue careers in science and math.

“ExxonMobil is dedicated to supporting programs that generate interest in math and science education and provide career options for students,” said Tillerson. “Our country needs future scientists and engineers and our efforts are an investment in that future.”

About Exxon Mobil Corporation
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2008, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $225 million in contributions worldwide, of which more than $89 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

About Sally Ride Science
Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to supporting girls’ and boys’ interests in science, technology, engineering, and math. Dr. Sally Ride started Sally Ride Science to create programs and publications that bring science to life and show girls and boys that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating, and fun. For more information about Sally Ride Science visit www.sallyridescience.com.

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