PND (4/11/2000) -- ExxonMobil Foundation Supports Expansion of Science Teaching Initiative

The National Science Teachers Association, the world's largest organization dedicated to the improvement of science teaching, and the ExxonMobil Foundation have announced a $3.9 million grant from the foundation to expand the NSTA's Building a Presence for Science initiative. The grant raises the foundation's total commitment to the innovative science education program to more than $6 million.

The additional funding will help bring the initiative to more than 36 million students in in 23 states and the District of Columbia, and will make it possible for ten new states — Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — to participate in Phase II of the program.

Begun in 1996, Building a Presence for Science has been transforming the way K-12 teachers and students teach and learn science. A primary objective of the program is to help K-12 science teachers implement state and national science education standards in their schools. Secondary goals include the creation of a network through which science teachers can share the latest ideas about effective science teaching.

"Building a Presence for Science has proven to be a major vehicle for integrating national science standards into the K-12 curriculum," said NSTA executive director Gerry Wheeler. "Within each state, the program can be tailored to meet specific needs and priorities. Teachers are enthusiastic about the program's professional development opportunities. They are eager to communicate with one another to update their knowledge in science, a field that is constantly changing. Providing science teachers with support is key to raising science achievement of our nation's students."

Since its inception in 1955, the ExxonMobil Foundation (formerly the Exxon Education Foundation) has provided more than $500 million in financial support to education organizations. In addition, the foundation was recently named the 2000 Outstanding Foundation by the National Society of Fundraising Executives, the largest association of charitable fundraising executives in the world.

FCnote: The ExxonMobil Foundation (TX) had assets of $11,870,405 and made grants totaling $19,933,360 in the year ending 12/31/98.

"National Science Teachers Association; ExxonMobi Foundation Expands Major Science Teacher Initiative to Ten New States." ExxonMobil Foundation Press Release 4/7/2000.

"ExxonMobil Foundation Named 2000 Outstanding Foundation." ExxonMobil Foundation Press Release 3/27/2000.

FC003303