ExxonMobil Engineers Encourage Girls to Envision Careers in Science and Math
Fifty local students to participate in hands-on engineering activities
Program part of 'Introduce a Girl to Engineering? sponsored by
National Engineers Week
Middle school girls from Dallas, Irving and Plano Independent School
Districts attended
ExxonMobil employees advocated engineering careers and shared
experiences with local students
Fifty middle school girls were innovators for a day as they learned
about the exciting aspects of engineering careers during the ninth
annual 'Introduce a Girl to Engineering? program at ExxonMobil
headquarters on February 21, supported by ExxonMobil
employees and the ExxonMobil
Foundation.
ExxonMobil employee Ramona Helble measures a structure built by three students from Hulcy Middle School (from left to right Rosa Barraza, Juon Lee and Toyawana Summerling) in Dallas ISD as part of 'Introduce a Girl to Engineering' day. For one of their activities, the young innovators competed in teams to construct the tallest and strongest house of playing cards. The day's event was designed to encourage them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. (Photo: Business Wire)
Girls from Dallas, Irving and Plano Independent School Districts took
part in hands-on activities designed to showcase the fun and unique
applications of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that
help solve everyday problems. Through first-hand accounts, ExxonMobil
employees demonstrated creative and collaborative aspects of
engineering, and how engineers are responsible for many of the world′s
most important innovations.
Employees also served as on-site mentors, leading experiments such as Marshmallow
Mania, where girls built a catapult and launched marshmallows using
the laws of physics, and A View from the Top, where team members
designed and built a sturdy structure with playing cards.
'ExxonMobil is working to build the next generation of innovators by
introducing students to the marvels of engineering when they are making
critical course decisions,? said Tracey Gunnlaugsson, senior downstream
advisor, corporate strategic planning, Exxon Mobil Corporation. 'We want
to demonstrate to girls that engineering careers are not only exciting,
rewarding and diverse, but they also offer the power to make a
difference in society. Whether creating advanced technologies or
developing new medicines, engineers are changing the world every day.?
Although women comprise about half of the U.S. workforce, they hold only
14 percent of engineering jobs, according to the Economics and
Statistics Administration.
The ExxonMobil
Foundation 'Introduce a Girl to Engineering? program seeks to
promote the distinct advantages of the profession as well as the need
for women to pursue careers in the field. The ExxonMobil headquarters
event is one of 13 'Introduce a Girl to Engineering? programs hosted at
ExxonMobil facilities nationwide.
About ExxonMobil Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon
Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the
Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance
education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has
significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports
initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher
education levels.
Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education,
promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria
and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2010, together
with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), its
divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $237
million in contributions worldwide, of which $110 million was dedicated
to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil′s community
partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
About National Engineers Week
National Engineers Week (www.eweek.org),
founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, is
dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering
workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and
technology careers among young students and by promoting pre-college
literacy in math and science. Engineers Week also raises public
understanding and appreciation of engineers' contributions to society
and is among the oldest of America's professional outreach efforts. For
more information please visit www.eweek.org.
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