Discussion builds awareness of issues in math and science education as a precursor to Mickelson's testimony before Congressional Education Committee

JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 18, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Phil and Amy Mickelson, in
partnership with ExxonMobil, the National Science Teachers Association and
Math Solutions, will host a National Town Hall Forum on Monday, July 21, at
the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. The forum, the second in a
series, will focus on current issues surrounding math and science education in
the United States and what is being done to improve and address them. The
forum will also serve as a precursor to Phil Mickelson's testimony on July 22
before the House Education and Labor Committee regarding the state of math and
science education in the United States and the role that public-private
partnerships play.

"Amy and I are thrilled to be working with our partners to give teachers
the tools they need to help improve math and science education in this
country," said Phil Mickelson. "Through our series of Town Hall Forums, we can
also raise awareness, focus attention and dedicate additional resources toward
solving the growing crisis in math and science education."

Joining the Mickelsons on the panel will be Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum,
president of Spelman College in Atlanta; Dr. Gerry Wheeler, executive director
of the National Science Teachers Association; and James M. Rubillo, executive
director of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Dr. Emlyn
Koster, president and chief executive officer of the Liberty Science Center,
will open the Town Hall Forum by addressing the important role science centers
play in energizing young minds in math and science. Ken Cohen, vice president
of public affairs with ExxonMobil, will moderate the panel and encourage
additional discussion of key topics in math and science education.

"As an educator, I believe it is critically important that we inspire
students in these fields and provide every opportunity for them to pursue
degrees in math- and science-related fields," said Dr. Tatum. "It is also
critically important that women and under-represented students of color
recognize that careers in STEM-related fields provide immense opportunities
for them to succeed."

One area of focus for the panel discussion will be the report prepared by
the National Academy of Sciences titled Rising Above the Gathering Storm:
Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. That report
observes that in a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost
labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science
and technology have begun to erode. The report says that a comprehensive and
coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness
and pre-eminence in these areas. The report makes four recommendations along
with 20 implementation actions that federal policy-makers should take to
create high-quality jobs and focus new science and technology efforts on
meeting the nation's needs.

The Town Hall Forum is being conducted as a kickoff to the 2008 Mickelson
ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. Developed in conjunction with the National
Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions, the Mickelson ExxonMobil
Teachers Academy is a professional development program designed to give
teachers the opportunity to hone their science and math teaching skills,
enhance their curricula and discover innovative new ways to inspire their
students. These select teachers spend five days deepening their understanding
of mathematics and science content, building expertise in facilitating student
learning through problem solving and inquiry, and using links between math and
science that supports student learning and understanding in the classroom.

"ExxonMobil is committed to strengthening the quality of math and science
education and building the next generation of science-savvy citizens in this
country," said Ken Cohen, vice president of public affairs for ExxonMobil. "We
are pleased to partner with the Mickelsons to develop this professional
development program for teachers and offer this ongoing series of Town Hall
Forums designed to address issues in math and science."

Phil and Amy Mickelson and Exxon Mobil believe that inspiring and training
elementary math and science teachers are keys to sparking an early interest in
science, technology, engineering and math among young students. By
continually improving the methods by which teachers are trained, they have a
deeper understanding of what it takes to enhance the children's science and
math skills.

As part of his involvement with this public-private partnership, Phil
Mickelson has been invited by the chairman of the House Education and Labor
Committee, U.S. Representative George Miller, to testify before the committee
about the importance of these partnerships in advancing math and science
education in the United States. Phil Mickelson's testimony before the
committee is scheduled for July 22, 2008.

About Exxon Mobil Corporation

Exxon Mobil Corporation and ExxonMobil Foundation, the primary
philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States, engage in a
range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and public
policy in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the
United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science
education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil
provides funding to improve basic education and combat malaria and other
infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2007, together with its
employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates,
and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $207 million in contributions worldwide.
Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and
contributions programs is available at http://www.exxonmobil.com/community.

Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation

Phil and his wife, Amy, teamed up with the ExxonMobil Foundation to
develop a new and innovative program to improve science and math education in
elementary schools. The program -- The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy
-- offers advanced training in science and mathematics instruction for
elementary school teachers chosen from the communities around the country
where Mickelson will be playing tournaments. Web site:
http://www.PhilMickelson.com.

National Science Teachers Association

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), founded in 1944 and
headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world
committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and
learning for all. NSTA's current membership of more than 55,000 includes
science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business
and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science
education. Web site: http://www.nsta.org.

Math Solutions

Math Solutions, founded in 1984, has provided a wide range of professional
development services and resource materials to more than 500 districts, in 47
states, helping more than 100,000 teachers and administrators across the
country. Web site: http://www.mathsolutions.com.

SOURCE Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

http://www.exxonmobil.com/community

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