XOM Exxon Mobil Corp

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), will again host the 2006 ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair next March, and ExxonMobil today presented the university $60,000 to be the title sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. The presentation was made as university leaders, community officials and ExxonMobil representatives met with educators from across Texas to discuss fair logistics. Fair participants showcased their projects from the previous year, previewing the 2006 Fair which will be held March 30-April 1, 2006, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair is the state competition for middle and high school regional science and engineering fair winners, attracting more than 1,000 student competitors each year. ExxonMobil will be the title sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. "ExxonMobil is pleased to continue its support of the Texas Science and Engineering Fair as this program allows talented students to showcase their commitment and dedication to science and education," said Truman T. Bell, Education and Diversity Program Officer, ExxonMobil Diversity Global Community Relations. "This competition encourages students to take their interest of mathematics, science and engineering to another level through hands-on projects and extensive research." ExxonMobil and UTSA will continue its diversity recruitment initiative in San Antonio to increase the number of minority students competing in the fair. Through this program, UTSA will work with minority students to overcome obstacles, commonly encountered in their attempts to compete in the Fair, such as lack of research resources, project funds and travel allowances. Since minority groups are underrepresented in the fields of science, math and engineering, this initiative is intended to increase the number of minority contestants at the regional and state fairs. "What a great opportunity for UTSA to host the state finals. We are proud to have been selected and pleased to play an active role in recognizing the science and engineering professionals of tomorrow," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. "We are especially pleased to be part of the minority initiative to recruit students to participate, particularly since UTSA graduates more biological science majors than any other Hispanic serving institution of higher education in the nation, and our engineering program has grown 75 percent in the past four years." The annual competition, now in its 20th year, invites winners of all middle and high school regional science fairs to compete in two divisions at the state level. The junior division includes grades 6-8, and the senior division includes grades 9-12. The winners of the state competition in the senior division advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 7-13, 2006. "The 2006 ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair will once again highlight the achievements of the State's best and brightest science, mathematics and engineering students," said Stuart Birnbaum, Associate Professor of Geology and the executive director of the 2006 ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair. "ExxonMobil's commitment, support, and generosity continue to provide the opportunity for the students of Texas to demonstrate their scientific and engineering prowess as they compete for scholarships and awards of academic achievement." The Texas Science Careers Consortium, which represents the science programs of 17 public universities around the state, is the official Texas affiliate for the International Science and Engineering Fair. Operating the state level science competition since 2001, the consortium rotates the Fair location among member universities. The University of Texas at San Antonio will host the Fair through 2007. About ExxonMobil Foundation ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the communities where Exxon Mobil Corporation has significant operations. In 2004, ExxonMobil Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and its divisions and affiliates provided $106.5 million in contributions worldwide, with $40 million dedicated to education. About UTSA The University of Texas at San Antonio is the premier institution of higher education in South Texas and one of the fastest growing universities in the state. Serving more than 27,000 students enrolled in 58 undergraduate, 42 masters and 13 doctoral programs, UTSA, at 36 years-of-age, is the second-largest component in the University of Texas System. A university of access and excellence, UTSA is a top 100 Hispanic-serving institution.