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[[image - color photograph of Exxon representative giving tour to students at a refinery]]
[[caption]] Exxon representative takes Newark high school students on a guided tour of facilities at Exxon's Bayway Refinery. [[/caption]]

In 10 years, these high school students may help America overcome a major new shortage.

[[image - color photograph of students watching scientist writing on chalkboard]]

The 1980's. You'd expect them to be years of tremendous technological growth. But they may not be. Because by 1980, the U.S. may face a severe shortage of scientists and engineers—even though we have the talent to prevent such a shortage.

The problem, however, is that much of this talent sits underdeveloped in the classrooms of our urban areas, especially where minorities comprise a major segment of the student body. And yet, this is where new technology could have its greatest impact—both on solving urban problems that need urgent answers—and in helping minority students gain new opportunities for careers in the upper levels of industry.

Unfortunately, many students with aptitudes for successful careers in science or engineering don't recognize their potential. Or if they do, their schools often lack the academic facilities to prepare them for university science curriculums. Exxon is trying to change this situation in several ways.

For example, in cooperation with the National Science Foundation, Exxon recently funded an innovative summer engineering program for high school students in the Newark, N.J. area.

During the six-week program, conducted at the Newark College of Engineering, the students held classroom chalk-talks; went on fact-finding field trips; analyzed the data on a computer and formulated theoretical engineering solutions to problems facing Newark today. These included problems in transportation, recreation, housing, sanitation and pollution.

While it's impossible to say how many of these students will eventually pursue careers in science and engineering, it's a fact that they all expressed more interest in these fields after the program. Next summer Exxon will be back in Newark. Until then, we'll continue our other programs to aid and promote engineering.

We'll again be working with the National Academy of Engineering to identify the critical factors limiting the enrollment and retention of minority students in engineering. We'll also be funding new engineering programs for minorities at 15 major colleges and universities—and helping to strengthen the engineering programs at predominantly minority schools, such as Howard University, North Carolina A&T, Tuskegee Institute, Prairie View A&M, Tennessee State University and Southern University.

If we can help it, engineers and scientists are one shortage this country isn't going to have. We believe giving minority students equal opportunities in these fields is the way to prevent it.

[[image - color Exxon logo]]
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