5.18.2007 - 12:52pm ET

(CSRwire) May 18, 2007- The 28th annual York University Engineering & Science (YES) Olympics will showcase some of the country’s brightest high school students in the areas of science and engineering on Tuesday, May 15.

The YES Olympics is made possible by a $500,000 gift from the Imperial Oil Foundation to York University's Science Outreach Program. In addition to the Olympics, the Science Outreach Program also sees York host summer science camps for kids and a speaker’s program in which professors visit elementary and high school classes to generate excitement about the sciences.

"Imperial Oil believes that educating and inspiring young people in the areas of science and technology is beneficial for them and vital for the future prosperity of the country," said Monica Samper, president, Imperial Oil Foundation. "We share this belief with York University and are delighted to continue our joint efforts to demonstrate to young people that careers in these fields are exciting and rewarding."

It’s a message that's certainly being heard. The YES Olympics now attracts more than 1,200 students from more than 70 high schools across Canada, including a team this year from the northern First Nations community of High Level, Alberta. The students will be given a number of challenges, such as designing and building a small planetary lander, as well as designing a glue made entirely from edible products.

"Engagement and outreach to the community is part of our mission at York University," said President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna Marsden. "We recognize the special role we play in educating young people about their options in life and we thank Imperial Oil for helping us fill that important role."

Paul Marcus, president and CEO of York University Foundation points out that the YES Olympics is a special day for many students. "The success of this event speaks for itself in terms of the numbers of students who attend and their excitement level," he says. "As a result of the support from Imperial Oil Foundation, this event and other Science Outreach activities will continue to encourage young minds toward a university education and career in the sciences."

Monica Samper, Lorna Marsden, Paul Marcus, and representatives from the Faculty of Science and Engineering will be among those kicking off the YES Olympics at 9:00 am at the Computer Sciences Building, Lecture Hall A at York University.

With a goal to being an active member of the community and to building a life-long learning system in Canada that ranks among the best in the world, Imperial Oil Limited has been contributing to communities across Canada for the past 126 years. Imperial Oil contributed more than $12 million to enhance the well-being of communities across Canada in 2006, building on a tradition of corporate giving that began with the company's inception in 1880. Supporting organizations where we live and work, the company emphasizes investment in education of math and sciences, environment, and civic and community programs where we have employees or business operations.