Helping make science fun: BASF sponsors ‘PlastiVan’ visits
Traveling exhibit teaches local students 'chemistry of plastics'

EVANS CITY, Pa., November 12, 2004 -- The “PlastiVan,” an internationally recognized education program that provides students with a "hands-on" experience in the chemistry of plastics, rolled into town this week for visits at Mars High School and Portersville Christian School. The visits were sponsored by a "Helping Make Communities Better" grant from BASF.

The “PlastiVan” is one of three “science on wheels” vans that travel throughout the United States teaching students, educators and the public about the chemistry, history, manufacturing and environmental issues involved with making plastics. The program is provided through the National Plastics Center & Museum in Leominster, Mass.

“Our students found the presentation very informative and fun,” said Becky Winek, a chemistry teacher at Mars High School. ”They were very entertained with the ‘hands-on’ demonstrations and were very interested in the real world applications of plastics.”

“The students were quite fascinated with the experiments and were very interested in the chemical industry information provided by the BASF representative,” said Vaughan Jones, a chemistry and physics teacher at Portersville Christian School. “They particularly enjoyed the experiment in which they stuck a wooden skewer through a balloon without bursting it--which demonstrated the flexibility of polymers.”

“BASF is known as the company that helps make products better. We also have a commitment to helping make the schools and communities in which we do business better,” said Mark Finch, Manager of Site Services at BASF’s Evans City site. “The ‘PlastiVan’ program is an outstanding educational tool. It demonstrates, in a fun and creative way, the important role plastics play in our world. We are proud to sponsor these visits because they make students aware of how the products made by companies in our area are an essential part of their daily lives.”

During the lab sessions, students also participated in experiments that included "The Chemistry of the Disposable Diaper," and making "slime" using liquid polymers and a laundry detergent.

“Students may be aware of the plastics they see in grocery bags, but may never have considered that there’s plastic in lifesaving medical equipment for example,” said Marjorie Weiner, National Outreach Director of the National Plastics Center & Museum. “The first-hand observation and interaction leaves a lasting impression with students.”

Linda Ball, National Plastics Center & Museum’s National Outreach Educator, echoed Weiner’s comments concerning the impact the “PlastiVan” program has on students. “We like to refer to it as the ‘wow effect’ of our classroom presentations,” Ball said. “It’s that magical moment when you see the light bulbs going on in the students’ minds as they start to grasp the principles behind the information we are presenting about plastics.”

Products from BASF’s Evans City site are used mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, and are also used in applications like agrochemicals, surfactants, adhesives, polymers, electronics, flavors, fragrances and automobiles.

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:
Mark Finch
BASF
Evans City, Pa.
Tel: (724) 538-1267
E-mail: finchm@basf-corp.com

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