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IPAA Education Center
Highlights for this section
Educating the public and policymakers about the American oil and natural gas industry has been a priority of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and the industry's other state and national trade groups. I want to take this opportunity to update you on some of IPAA's initiatives on energy education and workforce development.
Doris Richardson is Director of the IPAA Education Center in Houston. She comes to IPAA not only a teacher, but also a facilitator of professional development workshops at colleges and universities across the United States. Her great-grandfather and grandfather were wildcatters in Texas, and her father owned a successful oil services company. She provides us with a unique understanding of the need for educational outreach initiatives due to her knowledge of our industry and our educational system.
Doris is coordinating several IPAA initiatives in the public education and workforce areas, including:
- Establishing an Academy for Petroleum Exploration, Production and Technology in the Houston Area for students which will open its doors in September 2008 with help from a grant from the IPAA Educational Foundation.
- Sponsoring the 49th Science and Engineering Fair of Houston which is the second largest of its kind in the nation for middle and high school students in grades 7-12, attracting more than 35,000 projects. Doris served as a judge at the fair for the following categories: Energy & Transportation, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Electrostatic Water Generation, Whizzing Windmills, Fuel for Thought: The Power of Platinum, Greening Our Future, Using a Light Pipe for Increased Photovoltaic Power, Solar Future and Liquid Electricity.
- Facilitating the addition of an energy education curriculum in both the Houston and Spring Branch Independent School Districts. Doris is working with the Offshore Energy Center and its team of teachers to educate K-12th grade students about oil and gas industry careers. The Petroleum Equipment Suppliers (PESA), American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), through their support and generous contributions, have enabled us to move forward on this project.
- Working with Halliburton, Schlumberger and Oceaneering on field trips to stimulate educator and student interest in career opportunities with the industry.
- Coordinating with the World Affairs Council of Houston to launch the Global Energy Initiative. This program brings energy policy issues to students. Over 330 Texas teachers benefited from the Council's energy programs impacting 43,000 students statewide. The IPAA Educational Foundation is one of the largest sponsors of this program.
IPAA is also working on other important initiatives, including:
National "Educational Advocacy" Program. IPAA is working closely with the American Petroleum Institute, which is funding a national "Educational Advocacy" program. This program includes national television and print advertisements. Other components of the program could include a traveling "Laboratory" or exhibit; a series of executive-level speeches in key cities; educational seminars for congressional staff; "salons," or dialogue sessions for industry, business and political experts; media outreach (editorial board meetings); and informational materials, such as a website and fact sheets.
Targeted Advertising in Texas. The IPAA Educational Foundation provided a grant to the Foundation for Energy Education Program. This grant will help fund television and print advertisements in the Houston area to educate the public about the American oil and natural gas industry.
Museum Programs. The IPAA Educational Foundation also provided grants to the East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College and the Woodlands Children's Museum. At the East Texas Oil Museum, the grant supports an educational initiative to expand their "Got Oil Café," a program that provides training for teachers, and classroom activities for students, promoting knowledge of the industry. At the Woodlands, the grant supports the "Power of Science" exhibit and a working science lab.
IPAA Energy Education Coordination Council. IPAA is gathering information on all state and national education programs to serve as a clearinghouse for cooperating associations.
Of course, our communications department is also working hard to educate the media and public on key industry issues. We've been quoted by major news media, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Dow Jones and more. Our Washington Report and website are an invaluable resource for our members, as well as policymakers in Washington. And our grassroots network – now with more than 50,000 members – is working efficiently to get our message heard on Capitol Hill.
Your support makes our education efforts possible. IPAA is committed to fostering educational growth in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as helping identify the next generation of energy industry leaders. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Barry Russell
IPAA President & CEO
Identifying America's Next Generation of Energy Industry Leaders
Energy is a fundamental part of our universe.
It powers machinery and is an essential raw material for many common products.
We use energy everyday to do our work, warm and cool our homes, fuel our cars, cook our food and play our music.
The current and future demands for energy are enormous.
As America’s oil and natural gas industry tries to supply ever-increasing demand,
we are looking for the next generation of energy industry leaders.
According to a 2004 survey conducted by the American Petroleum Institute (API), the average age in the oil and gas industry is 49. This is among the oldest of any industry. As well, the National Petroleum Council projects a personnel shortage of approximately 40 percent as a result of workforce retirements over the next decade.
We are witnessing a significant shortage in the number of students obtaining university degrees in petroleum engineering and geo-sciences - fewer than 1,000 students are projected to graduate from such programs in 2006. This is more than a 90 percent drop since 1982.
IPAA is taking proactive steps to educate, encourage and develop America's next generation of energy industry leaders. Our mission is to engage high school students by providing the necessary resources, information and contacts that will help facilitate a career in the oil and gas industry.
We've created a resource brochure that is available to all interested parties. The brochure contains information designed to assist a graduating high school student as he or she maps out a career strategy and provides reassurance that careers in America’s oil and natural gas industry are diverse, challenging, rewarding and attainable. The brochure communicates that opportunities exist for men and woman, blue collar and white collar and those with a college degree and those without.
The brochure also provides tips for obtaining a career including placing an emphasis on math and science courses, internships and volunteer opportunities. And it provides contact information to other industry resources like the American Petroleum Institute, Society of Petroleum Engineers, and U.S. Department of Labor to name a few.
To view and print the brochure click on this link: To request hard copies please contact Therese McCafferty.
IPAA Educational Foundation
The Foundation supports programs that educate the public about the significant contributions that the oil and natural gas industry makes to the American economy and to society. The Foundation provides grants to charitable and educational programs, particularly programs related to energy education, and provides financial support for efforts that build tomorrow´s leaders. The Wildcatters´ Ball is the primary industry fund–raising event for the Foundation. The proceeds from this annual event go toward funding educational initiatives like the $100,000 Excellence in Education Award.
The IPAA Educational Foundation was formed in 1997 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting charitable and educational programs related to energy education.
