Exxon Mobil Corporation 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 Tillerson, chairman and CEO in a press release. “Together we share the goal of preparing young people, particularly young girls, for careers in science, technology, engineering and math.”
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,” Ride said. “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 around the U.S.
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 U.S.
ExxonMobil’s support for math and science education includes a $125 million commitment to the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). NMSI, which includes 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% 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% more AP exams, and girls passed 55% 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,” Tillerson said. “Our country needs future scientists and engineers and our efforts are an investment in that future.”