Houston Girls to Get Inside Look at Exciting Science, Math, Engineering and Technology Fields at Sally Ride Science Festival Presented by ExxonMobil
Houston, Texas (PRWEB) October 03, 2013 -- Middle school girls from across the Houston area will be attending the Sally Ride Science Festival presented by ExxonMobil at Rice University on Saturday, Oct. 12. The event was founded by the late Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and carries on her work to fuel girls’ interest in math and science.
Although women make up half the nation’s workforce, reports show they hold less than 25 percent of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs.* The Sally Ride Science Festival presented by ExxonMobil will feature exciting STEM-oriented activities to help introduce hundreds of girls in grades five through eight and their parents to some of the nation’s fastest-growing and highest-paying careers.
Speakers at the sold-out event include Barbara Morgan, the first teacher-astronaut to go into space. Ms. Morgan and the other speakers will discuss the importance of studying, exploring, and pursuing potential opportunities and careers in STEM-related fields. The festival also will include a street fair complete with food, booths, and music and a full day of fun learning activities for girls, as well as workshops for parents and teachers on ways to support students' interests in science and math.
“This festival presents a wonderful chance for the girls in Houston’s middle schools to see the wide array of STEM fields and careers open to them,” said Sally Ride Science CEO Sheryle Bolton. “STEM careers are often found in the fastest growing segments of our economy, and can provide some of the best economic opportunities for students. Hands-on activities and role models at our Festivals can help make STEM opportunities more tangible for students and for their families.”
Margaret Mattix, vice president of global marketing for ExxonMobil Chemical Company, will be among the leading scientists helping kick off the festival.
“We are privileged to support the Sally Ride Science Festival’s major effort to help inspire girls and show them how their applications of math, science and technology can help improve everyday life,” Mattix said.
More than one thousand students, teachers, and parents are expected from 11 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. at the Sally Ride Science Festival, to be hosted at Rice University for the eighth time. More information can be found at https://sallyridescience.com/events/festivals/13rice1012 or by calling 1-800-561-5161.
In addition to the support of primary sponsor ExxonMobil, this event is also being made possible through a generous contribution from Deloitte, LLP, which has long supported the Sally Ride Science Festival.
Additional sponsors of this year’s festival include Baker Hughes, Enbridge, CenterPoint Energy, Cameron, BASF, Key Energy, and CB&I.
About ExxonMobil
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 2012, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $256 million in contributions worldwide, of which $116 million was dedicated to education. http://www.exxonmobil.com/community.
About Sally Ride Science
Sally Ride Science is an innovative science education company dedicated to supporting all students’ interests in science, technology, engineering, and math. Founded by Dr. Sally Ride, the Company creates programs and classroom resources that bring science to life for students, educators, and parents.
*2011 Economic and Statistics Administration Report
Matt Casper, Sally Ride Science, http://www.sallyridescience.com, +1 858-638-1432 145, [email protected]
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