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ExxonMobil and PGA golfer Phil Mickelson collaborate for 10 years to
improve math and science education through professional development
program for teachers
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500 elementary school teachers selected to attend one of three
Academies this summer
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The initiative has trained more than 4,100 teachers, impacting more
than 290,000 students
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 11, 2014--
What can a simple egg drop teach a group of elementary school teachers
about force and motion? How can rolling marbles down tables illustrate
the impact mass has on movement? This summer, 500 teachers from all 50
states and the District of Columbia will learn the answers to these
questions and more, as they attend the 10th-annual Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy held in Jersey City, NJ, Pittsburgh, PA,
and Houston, TX.
The Academy, a partnership between PGA golfer Phil Mickelson, his wife
Amy, and ExxonMobil,
is an intensive, one-week, all-expenses-paid professional development
program that shows teachers how to put a fresh spin on classic math and
science concepts using fun, hands-on experiments. Teachers leave the
Academy equipped with new lessons, ready to encourage a lifelong love of
STEM—science, technology, engineering and math. Since its inception,
more than 4,100 teachers have been trained at the Academy, impacting the
lives of more than 290,000 students nationwide.
“The Academy gave me the skills and confidence needed to inspire
students to become interested in science and math,” said Zohar
Badenhausen, a teacher from Massachusetts who attended the Academy in
2013. “Using the real-world ideas and skills from the Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, I have been able to engage and excite my
students, spurring a new found and energized interest in STEM.”
Mickelson frequently talks about the importance of science in golf,
using calculations of force, motion, angles and distance to excel at the
game. “Amy and I are extremely proud of this Academy milestone, and one
of the highlights of our summer is visiting with and seeing first-hand
the impact this program has made on teachers across the country,” he
said. “We know interest in STEM subjects starts at an early age, and
we’re committed to training teachers to ignite a lifelong learning for
these important subjects.”
In the 10 years that the Academy has been supporting teachers in math
and science training, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that
jobs for aerospace engineers increased by 112 percent, civil engineers
increased by 60 percent and chemical engineers increased by 37 percent.
Studies show that eight of the 10 fastest-growing job sectors require
math and science skills.
“Through innovative learning techniques, the Academy equips teachers
with the tools and strategies to increase their students’ interest and
excitement about math and science, helping to develop future scientists
and engineers,” said Suzanne McCarron, Exxon Mobil Corporation's general
manager of public and government affairs.
The Academy also announced today the names of the 150 teachers selected
to attend the national Academy in Jersey City, NJ. Teachers were
selected by a panel of educators from the National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National
Science Teachers Association from more than 1,000 applications
submitted through www.sendmyteacher.com.
Teachers were chosen based on their qualifications, dedication to
inspiring students at an early age and overall commitment to enhancing
the teaching profession. The additional 350 teachers are selected in
conjunction with their local school districts and will be attending
Academies in Houston and Pittsburgh.
For the list of teachers selected to attend the national 2014 Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, visit www.sendmyteacher.com.
The application process for the 2015 Academy opens today.
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is part of ExxonMobil’s
long-term commitment to education. The company supports initiatives that
encourage students to take an active interest in math and science
careers, support the professional development of highly qualified
teachers and promote involvement by women and minority students.
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 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. 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 2013, together with its employees and retirees,
ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation
provided $269 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 100,000
teachers and administrators across the country. For more information,
visit www.mathsolutions.com.
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
ExxonMobil
Media Relations, 972-444-1107
