-
Introduce a Girl to Engineering program encourages girls to
consider a future in engineering -
ExxonMobil employees provide hands-on experiences for students across
the country - More than 15,000 students have participated in the program since 2003
IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–More than 1,000 middle-school girls have joined ExxonMobil
for the company’s 16th annual Introduce a Girl to
Engineering Day, which aims to inspire female students to consider
engineering as a career.
Over several days, employees from ExxonMobil and its subsidiary XTO
Energy across the United States led students through interactive
activities that range from chemistry to physics. More than 15,000
students have participated in Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
activities since the program’s inception in 2003.
In Dallas, students and ExxonMobil employees gathered at the Perot
Museum of Nature and Science to participate in hands-on experiments and
discussions that show the wide variety of engineering career options
available.
“Engineers are changing the world every day, and we want to capture
young girls’ imaginations at an early age to show them the exciting
careers this field offers,” said Sara Ortwein, civil engineer and
president of ExxonMobil affiliate XTO Energy.
“This program helps show young girls and women that engineering is a
fulfilling career, and will hopefully contribute to closing the gender
gap that currently exists in the field,” Ortwein said.
According to a 2017 National Science Foundation study, only 250,000 U.S.
women were employed in engineering positions, compared with nearly 1.5
million men. Less than 20 percent of bachelor’s degrees in engineering
were awarded to women.
Part of DiscoverE’s annual Girl Day campaign, Introduce a Girl to
Engineering is associated with one
of ExxonMobil’s signature efforts that serves to improve education
and raise awareness of the need for more young people to consider
engineering as a profession. Special emphasis is geared toward
underrepresented populations.
About ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), the largest publicly traded
international energy 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 2017, together with its
employees and retirees, ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and
the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $204 million in contributions
worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships
and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com.
About DiscoverE
DiscoverE, formerly National Engineers Week Foundation, was founded in
1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers and 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. DiscoverE 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.discovere.org.
Contacts
ExxonMobil Media Relations
972-940-6007