Number 4 - ExxonMobil in the UK

21
Mickelson ExxonMobil Academy
teaches excitement about math and science
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy provides an
informal atmosphere for elementary school teachers to learn
math and science principles designed to interest students.
Story by Richard Cunningham Photography by Todd Plitt
More than 1,400 U.S. teachers now have new ways to
build young students’ interest in math and science –
and to shape a brighter future for humankind.
Teachers see the third, fourth
and fifth grades as a window of
opportunity. It’s when children
are learning fast and forming
opinions that will shape the rest
of their lives.
Given the right encouragement,
some could enter educational
paths that would lead them
to become engineers, scientists,
computer technicians and physicians.
Indeed, these young
students could be the sources
of scientific breakthroughs and
technological innovations needed
to support human progress in the
21st century.
The trouble is, not enough
children are getting that chance
because they lack interest in
studying math and science.
The impact of this trend is
reflected in the fact that U.S. students
are not scoring as high in
math and science as their international
peers. If left unchecked,
the consequences for the
nation’s ability to compete in an
increasingly technology-based
world will be significant.
Reversing the trend
Enter the Mickelson ExxonMobil
Teachers Academy, a professional-development
program
sponsored by golfer Phil
Mickelson and ExxonMobil to not
only stem the trend but reverse it.
“Along with ExxonMobil, my
wife, Amy, and I created the academy
to help elementary school
teachers learn new ways to inspire
their students about math and
science,” Mickelson says. “If kids
learn math and science, they can
achieve almost anything.”
Launched at ExxonMobil’s
conference center in Fairfax,
Virginia, in 2005, the academy
involves an intense five-day
program for elementary school
teachers, grades three to five. To
date, more than 1,400 teachers
from schools nationwide have
been trained. Academies are now
conducted in The Woodlands,
Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana;
and Jersey City, New Jersey, at
the Liberty Science Center.
The curriculum is developed
in conjunction with the National
Science Teachers Association
and Math Solutions, a company
that provides math training and
instructional materials for teachers.
“Elementary teachers have to
be masters of all trades,” says
Truman Bell, ExxonMobil’s senior
program officer. “They teach
everything. It is rare to see an
elementary teacher who specializes
in math and science. The
academy is a professional-development
program to help improve
their skills in this area.”