Thousands of teachers have been trained through week-long science,
technology, engineering and math program
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More than 150 elementary school teachers from all 50 states and the
District of Columbia have been selected to attend the Academy this
summer
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Program focuses on using real-world examples and hands-on experiments
to build teacher and student excitement about STEM learning
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Since its inception, more than 4,500 teachers have been trained,
impacting more than 300,000 students nationwide
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 14, 2015--
Today, ExxonMobil
announced 155 third- through fifth-grade teachers from across the United
States have been selected to attend the national 2015 Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. The program is a week-long,
all-expense-paid, professional development program for third- through
fifth-grade teachers that equips them with innovative ways to teach
science and math and inspire their students in these critical subjects.
In 2005, ExxonMobil partnered with PGA Golfer Phil Mickelson, and his
wife, Amy, to launch the Academy. Today, more than 4,500 teachers have
been trained on effective math and science teaching techniques,
impacting more than 300,000 students nationwide.
“Amy and I understand firsthand the influence teachers have on
students,” Phil Mickelson said. “We are excited to see not only the
initial inspiration that comes from the Academy week, but also the
additional activity from classrooms when teachers apply what they’ve
learned to help their students understand, engage and truly be inspired
about STEM subjects.”
More than 1,500 teachers submitted applications through www.sendmyteacher.com
to attend the 2015 Academy at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey from
July 27-31. From this group, 155 teachers were selected -- representing
all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- based on their
qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and
overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession. View the full
list of teachers selected here.
Recent test scores from the Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA) rank the U.S. 21st in science and 26th
in math when compared to other OECD nations. The Business Center for a
College- and Career-Ready America also reports that almost all of the 30
fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least
some STEM background. As a company with more than 18,000 scientists and
engineers, ExxonMobil recognizes the need to ignite passion in today’s
youth around STEM and prepare them to pursue related careers.
“ExxonMobil values the importance of instilling today’s students with a
strong foundation in math and science, and we know teachers play a vital
role in directly shaping student aptitude—and attitude—in these
subjects,” said Suzanne McCarron, general manager of public and
government affairs, ExxonMobil. “Through partnerships like the one we
have built with the Mickelsons, we’re not only bringing a continued
awareness to the importance and effectiveness of STEM teacher training,
we’re also providing a professional development program that helps lay
the groundwork for teachers to prepare students for future careers in
the STEM field.”
During the week-long Academy, participants will work with a curriculum
developed by the National Science Teachers Association and Math
Solutions. After the program, teachers will return to their classrooms
reinvigorated with the passion to teach students how to be science
literate, using hands-on experiments that show how math and science
surround us daily.
“Participating in the hands-on experiments at the Mickelson ExxonMobil
Teachers Academy gave me new and effective skills to ignite a passion
for STEM in my students,” said Emily Maki, an Illinois teacher who
attended the Academy in 2014. “The Academy helped me renew my confidence
in teaching science and math, and it’s been rewarding to see how my
students have engaged with my lessons.”
An additional 350 teachers chosen from communities around the country
near where ExxonMobil maintains significant operations will be attending
regional academies this summer in Houston, TX, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Since 2005, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy has provided more
than 117,200 hours of math and science training to teachers from across
the United States.
To learn more about how teachers can be nominated, visit www.sendmyteacher.com.
About Exxon Mobil Corporation
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), the largest publicly traded
international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to
help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil engages in a
range of philanthropic activities that advance education, with a focus
on math and science in the United States, promote women as catalysts for
economic development, and combat malaria. In 2014, together with its
employees and retirees, ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and
the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $279 million in contributions
worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships
and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation
Since its inception in 2004, the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation is
focused on supporting a variety of youth and family initiatives
including the Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy and Smart
Start. The Foundation’s mission is to operate exclusively for
charitable, educational and scientific purposes; established as a
501(c)3, it is a non-fundraising, private foundation. For more
information, visit www.PhilMickelson.com.
National Science Teachers Association
The Arlington, VA-based National
Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional
organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science
teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes
approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors,
administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and
others involved in science education.
Math Solutions
Math Solutions, founded in 1984 by Marilyn Burns, has provided a wide
range of professional development services and resource materials to
more than 500 districts, in 47 states, helping more than 200,000
teachers and administrators across the country. For more information,
visit www.mathsolutions.com.
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
ExxonMobil
Media Relations, 972-444-1107
