Rice University
ExxonMobil is a global leader in carbon capture and storage – which enables carbon dioxide (CO2) to be captured and safely stored deep underground instead of emitted into the atmosphere.
Working in teams of four, the campers built a detailed model of an underground saltwater reservoir inside a plastic cup. With the materials at their disposal – Play-Doh, dry pasta, and uncooked beans – they recreated the process of storing captured CO2 in the reservoir, then securing it beneath a thick layer of caprock.
Using vegetable oil to symbolize liquified CO2, the teams competed to maximize the amount of CO2 in their miniature reservoir, displacing the water under the caprock.
We’ve supported the Tapia Center’s summer STEM program, offered as a week-long residential camp at Rice University, since its inception in 2015. The ExxonMobil Foundation gives $100,000 a year to fund scholarships, and our employees volunteer in a variety of roles, including as presenters and competition judges.
Our goal with this program is to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, and empower a new generation of STEM leaders.
Learn About the Carbon Capture and Storage Project