BASF sponsors teachers’ attendance at science education conference
Grant enables educators to learn about ‘hands-on’ curriculum at Annual TIE Conference

WHITEHOUSE, Ohio, November 1, 2004 -- Three fourth grade teachers from Whitehouse schools recently learned creative ways to help make science fun for their students, courtesy of a “Helping Make Communities Better” grant from BASF.

Mary Dressel from Whitehouse Primary School, Lisa Dick from Monclava Primary School, and Laurie Worline from Waterville Primary School, participated in “hands-on” training during the 12th Annual Teachers, Industry, and Environment (TIE) Conference, a two-day professional development conference presented annually in October in Columbus by the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council (OCTC).

Teachers and chemical industry representatives demonstrated innovative science teaching programs that can be easily duplicated in classrooms. Karl Schnapp, Manager, Site/Administrative Services, and Hank Stateczny, Laboratory Supervisor for BASF’s Whitehouse site, participated by conducting an experiment on the concept of density by building columns using common household items such as alcohol, oil, water, soap, glycerin, and syrup. The BASF representatives also explained the “super cold” effects of liquid nitrogen on ordinary objects such as bananas and carnations.

"Our school district appreciates what a friend BASF is," said Susan Cross, spokesperson for the Anthony Wayne School District. "Through this particular donation, and others we have previously received from the company, our teachers have been able to attend and benefit from this outstanding science education conference."

“The TIE Conference exists because leading companies such as BASF believe that an interest in science must be instilled in children early in their educational journeys,” said Christina Elsner, OCTC Vice President. “When that interest is sparked, children are more likely to pursue careers in the sciences and engineering.”

“BASF has a strong commitment to supporting the communities in which we do business and to supporting education as part of our ‘Helping Make Communities Better’ grant program,” said Schnapp. “We’re pleased to be able to support dedicated teachers such as Ms. Dressel, Ms. Dick and Ms. Worline and outstanding programs such as the TIE Conference.”

Since 1992, the TIE Conference has allowed more than 650 kindergarten through middle school teachers from across Ohio to interact with scientists, engineers, and environmentalists – and to take back to their classrooms exciting practical experiments, demonstrations, and teaching resources to enrich learning environments for their students.

The OCTC is the major trade association representing Ohio’s high-technology chemical industry.

BASF’s Whitehouse facility includes the company’s North American Customer Service Center, Coatings Laboratories, and Application and Training Center. With approximately 140 employees, the site provides a wide range of research and development, technical, and customer support services for BASF business groups.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We employ about 11,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $9 billion in 2003. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Our goal is to grow profitably and further increase the value of our company. We help our customers to be more successful through intelligent system solutions and high-quality products. BASF’s portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through new technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities. We conduct our business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2003, BASF had sales of approximately $42 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

For more information, contact:
Karl Schnapp
BASF
Whitehouse, Ohio
Tel: (419) 877-4309
E-mail: schnapk@basf.com

Glenn Majeski
BASF
Florham Park, N.J.
Tel: (973) 245-6070
E-mail: majeskg@basf.com