ExxonMobil Encourages Girls to Envision Careers in Math and Science

“Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” inspires middle-school students for 10^th consecutive year

• Program sparks students’ curiosity in science, technology, engineering and math
• More than 7,000 students have participated in ExxonMobil-sponsored activities since the program began in 2003
• ExxonMobil to host hundreds students at 16 company locations

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ExxonMobil Foundation is collaborating with the National Engineers Week Foundation for the 10^th consecutive year to host Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at 16 company locations across the United States. The program promotes interest in engineering among middle-school students and helps reduce the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

“We can inspire our nation’s youth to pursue STEM careers by capturing their interest at an early age”

“We can inspire our nation’s youth to pursue STEM careers by capturing their interest at an early age,” said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day helps young women gain self-confidence and an appreciation for the engineering profession by learning from role models and taking part in engaging math and science activities.”

ExxonMobil employees will lead fun, hands-on activities that connect math and science to everyday life and reinforce classroom instruction. Activities include water-purification experiments, energy-industry demonstrations using 3D technology to search for oil and natural gas and exploring the science of manufacturing cosmetics.

“The National Engineers Week Foundation is committed to helping students -- especially girls who are underrepresented in engineering and technology -- discover engineering and how it helps the world,” said Leslie Collins, executive director, National Engineers Week Foundation. “Our partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation enables thousands of youth to envision a fulfilling future through a career in engineering.”

The need to engage girls in math and science studies, and eventually careers, is critical. The National Science Foundation estimates that 80 percent of jobs in the next decade will require math and science knowledge. The Congressional Joint Economic Committee reports that women represent just 14 percent of engineers and comprise only 27 percent of mathematics and computer-science professionals.

Programs like Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day are helping more young women gain the knowledge and skills associated with STEM careers to alleviate the workforce deficit.

More than 7,000 students have participated in ExxonMobil-sponsored science and math activities since the program began in 2003.

About the ExxonMobil Foundation

The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of 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. In 2011, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $278 million in contributions worldwide, of which $120 million was dedicated to education. www.exxonmobil.com/community.

About National Engineers Week

National Engineers Week (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.