STEM initiatives

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Getting young people excited about technology and science

For years, ExxonMobil has participated in Girlsday and Science Weekend. During Girlsday, science, technology or IT departments of companies throughout the Netherlands open their doors to girls aged 10 to 15. The girls can participate in interesting activities, meet female employees and learn more about STEM work.

The Weekend of Science is there to give everyone, from young to old, insight into the world of science and technology in an accessible way. Volunteers from ExxonMobil then do chemistry experiments with the children. The experiments come from the ExxonMobil-sponsored C3 Foundation, which promotes chemistry among young people.

Learn more about these programs:

A unique insight during the Science Weekend

“There is much more going on here than I thought! Impressive!” Visitors were pleasantly surprised during the Weekend van de Wetenschap (Science Weekend).

Every year, during the Weekend van de Wetenschap, the ExxonMobil refinery in Rotterdam offers a unique behind-the-scenes visit for interested people. We tell visitors about our organization, our role in the port of Rotterdam, our history, and our vision for the future.

In the visitor center, our employees explain what we produce in our factories, how our facilities work, and the opportunities to work here. During the organized bus tour of the factor on the refinery site, everything truly comes to life. The size and number of installations are impressive.

Many visitors were surprised to learn that the oil products we make here are used in countless everyday items, such as household appliances, cosmetics, charging cables, sports shoes, and clothing.

The Science Week takes place every year in the first weekend of October. In 2025, this will be on 4 and 5 October.

Watch our 2024 video.

Learn more about Science Weekend

Two Female College Students Building Machine In Science Robotics Or Engineering Class

Sci-Tech Challenge

The Sci-Tech Challenge is a competition for students aged 15 to 18 that is held every year. The competition is part of a broader initiative by JA Europe and ExxonMobil to encourage young Europeans to opt for a technical/scientific education. In the Netherlands, ExxonMobil works in the organization of the Sci-Tech Challenge together with Stichting Jong Ondernemen (Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs); in Flanders with the Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemingen (Vlajo - Flemish Young Businesses).

Each year, dozens of students in Flanders and the Netherlands take part in the Sci-Tech Challenge, which consists of class visits by ExxonMobil staff, a quiz and a national competition day. The Sci-Tech Challenge has the same set-up in both countries. Within a relatively short time, students working in teams aged between 15 and 18 come up with realistic and affordable ideas that answer challenges we are facing on energy. They then work out the details of these ideas based on their own knowledge and insights, supported by expert volunteers of ExxonMobil. A professional jury then assesses the different proposals based on energy needs, emission reduction, cost analysis, creativity, quality and team spirit.

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