California to Join 19 States in National Science Teacher Initiative.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2002

WestEd Collaborates with National Science Teachers Association and

ExxonMobil Foundation To Implement Standards-Based Science Teaching

and Learning in 12,500 California Schools

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and ExxonMobil Foundation announced today the funding of Building a Presence for Science in California -- an initiative to bring standards-based science education into every classroom in the state.

WestEd, a nonprofit research, development and service agency, will coordinate the project in California in collaboration with the California Department of Education, the California Science Teachers Association, the K-12 Science Alliance and the California Science Project. WestEd and partners will receive $520,000 to implement the new program.

Building a Presence for Science will link California science teachers and science education organizations in a nationwide science-learning network offering professional development opportunities and increased communications. To do this, California will identify 300 educators to serve as key leaders in the state who will, in turn, establish a network of some 6,000 points of contact representing the state's 12,500 public and private schools. The points of contact will provide their school colleagues with information and resources that support the goals of national and state science education standards. Teachers and schools adapt the program to fit priorities and needs in their individual states.

WestEd and its partners will contribute $520,000 in matching funds to the program initiated by the NSTA and the ExxonMobil Foundation six years ago. With the addition of California, a total of 20 states and the District of Columbia now comprise the Building a Presence for Science network. Four additional states are slated to join Building a Presence for Science during 2002-03.

"Our aim with Building a Presence for Science in California is to implement California standards as informed by the National Science Education Standards, to use science education to help students understand larger ideas and unifying concepts, and to help teachers, especially in elementary grades, use science to introduce, extend and apply skills in language arts and mathematics," said Art Sussman, state program coordinator.

"Today's announcement could not have come at a better time," said Scott Hill, chief deputy superintendent, California Department of Education. "This network will, for the first time, let California science educators communicate with each other about what constitutes science inquiry and science literacy. Building a Presence for Science will help California science teachers increase both the amount as well as the quality of science education we offer to our state's six million elementary and secondary school students."

"To meet today's challenges, it is imperative that our children are equipped with a strong background in science," said Edward F. Ahnert, president of ExxonMobil Foundation. "Building a Presence for Science has the potential to make a profound difference in the ways that science is taught and learned, and ExxonMobil is proud to play a role in this initiative." Managed by the NSTA and funded by ExxonMobil Foundation since 1996, Building a Presence for Science has helped science teachers implement state and national science education standards in their schools by providing a network for sharing information and practices about effective science teaching.

ExxonMobil Foundation has contributed more than $6 million to the Building a Presence for Science program. ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corp. in the United States. The foundation engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the communities where Exxon Mobil Corp. has significant operations. In addition, the foundation supports research and dissemination on selected topics of national interest to the energy industry. Focus areas include education, health and environment. In 2001, ExxonMobil Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corp., and its divisions and affiliates provided more than $100 million in contributions worldwide.

The National Science Teachers Association, founded in 1944, is the world's largest professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's 53,000 plus members include science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives and others involved in science education.