ConocoPhillips supports expansion of Rice University

CONTACT: Jessica Stark
PHONE: 713-348-6777
E-MAIL: stark@rice.edu

ConocoPhillips and Rice University recently announced a plan to expand Rice’s Elementary Model Science Lab (REMSL) program. 

The program promotes science education by providing training to elementary school teachers about the latest science concepts and new teaching methods aimed at students in kindergarten through fifth grade.  Research shows that if students do not develop an interest in science by the fifth grade, they are unlikely to develop an interest in science at all. 

“ConocoPhillips recognizes that science and math are important for students of all ages,” said Jim Mulva, ConocoPhillips chairman and chief executive officer. “We’re pleased to join with Rice University to help teachers instill a sense of excitement about science among the youngest of their students.”

“This is a wonderful example of how three community partners can work together for a common and important cause — helping prepare science teachers,” Rice President David Leebron said. “Rice has set as one of its priorities contributing to K-12 education in Houston, and this partnership is an important step in implementing that.”

Leebron thanked ConocoPhillips for the donation and the Spring Branch Independent School District for the lab space. “Their commitment, combined with expertise of Rice University faculty and researchers in the Center for Education, will significantly enhance the science education of our students, which is vital to the success of our city and nation,” he said.

Housed in the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD), the ConocoPhillips Rice Elementary Model Science Lab will train more than 80 teachers from the Greater Houston Area during the 2008-2009 school year.

“Unfortunately, many elementary teachers lack the latest knowledge about science, and hence may lack confidence teaching it, because they are not continually exposed to it themselves,” said Wallace Dominey, Rice Center for Education research scientist, who developed the REMSL. “We hope to provide a unique professional development opportunity for teachers in the Houston area so their students discover the joys of learning about the natural world in which we live.”

The 2008-2009 ConocoPhillips Rice Elementary Model Science Lab will expand the program Rice developed with Houston Independent School District teachers at Sanchez Elementary School. Dominey said achievement scores for the students of the REMSL-trained teachers have increased significantly — as high as 41 percent.

“Quality science education is a critical focus area for Spring Branch,” SBISD President Mike Falick said. “As a result, we are very excited about the opportunity to partner with Rice to create this incredible opportunity to benefit our science teachers and science teachers from other districts. Collaborations of this nature support elementary science education across districts, and we look forward to fulfilling our critical role, as hosts, in broadening the impact of better science education among so many schools across this city.”

ConocoPhillips, an international, integrated energy company with interests around the world, is a member of the Energy Forum at Rice’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. The company funds an endowed scholarship at Rice’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management and supports multiple initiatives in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Wiess School of Natural Sciences.  The company also supports the Rice Summer Business Institute, an outreach program for minority high school students interested in pursuing careers in business. ConocoPhillips also matches its employees’ philanthropic contributions to Rice.  For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.