Top Contestants Receive More Than $50,000 in Scholarships Hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas Science Careers Consortium
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two hundred twenty students were awarded today with highest honors at the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair, a four-day competition that brings together top science fair winners from across the state. Best of Fair awards, presented to the top contestants in the junior and senior divisions, were presented to Carlos Rivero-Lopez of Sugar Land, Texas and Amy Chyao of Plano, Texas.
“We are proud to host the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair again this year, but even prouder of the students who brought hard work, enthusiasm and creativity to the competition”
Students competed in two divisions – junior (grades six through eight) and senior (grades nine through 12) – in one of 19 categories at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Selected from more than 1,100 entries, awards were given to first through fourth place winners in each category, and Grand Prize and Best in Fair projects in each division. Senior division Grand Prize winners received all-expense paid trips to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair May 9–14 in San Jose, Calif. The top 10 percent of competitors in the junior division qualified to participate in the Discovery Channel Young Scientists Challenge.
“For the past 10 years, we have valued this opportunity to recognize and encourage the brilliant minds of the future,” said Truman Bell, senior program officer for education and diversity, Exxon Mobil Corporation. “Whatever their professional aspirations may be, it is clear they will be celebrated leaders in their respective fields. We hope this event serves as an exciting stepping stone to their bright future.”
For the 10th consecutive year, ExxonMobil is title sponsor of the state-level competition and is providing a grant of $75,000 that also funds a diversity recruitment initiative, aiding students that would otherwise be unable to participate with project and travel expenses. The University of Texas at San Antonio has hosted the fair for the past six years and the Texas Science Careers Consortium has managed the fair since its inception 24 years ago.
“We are proud to host the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair again this year, but even prouder of the students who brought hard work, enthusiasm and creativity to the competition,” said Dr. George Perry, dean, The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences. “This tradition would not be possible without the generosity of ExxonMobil and the support of all the dedicated parents and teachers who have encouraged these children to pursue their dreams.”
Students qualified to compete on the state level by being selected as the Grand Prize winner or placing first, second or third in one of 13 regional fairs held throughout the state. Each regional fair is sanctioned by Science Service, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science among people of all ages.
Additional information on the 2010 ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair can be found at www.emtsef.org.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.
ExxonMobil engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries.
In 2009, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $235 million in contributions worldwide, of which more than $112 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.
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