BASF sponsors PlastiVan visits to area schools
Traveling chemistry exhibit teaches students the chemistry of plastics

GEISMAR, La., February 16, 2006 -- The “PlastiVan” made stops last week at three area middle schools to give students “hands-on” experience in the chemistry of plastics. The visits were sponsored by BASF’s Geismar site.

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 Leomister, Mass.

“The students loved the demonstrations, especially the hands-on activities,” said Lori Charlet, Assistant Principal of Gonzales Middle School. “We are so grateful for the financial support that allowed the PlastiVan to come here and work with our students. There’s no way we could have gotten this here on our own.”

Approximately 900 students at Gonzales Middle School, Dutchtown Middle School and Galvez Middle School participated in lab experiments that included making “slime” and nylon thread using liquid polymers, and learning about the chemistry of disposable diapers. Students also studied the properties of polymers by sticking a wooden skewer through a balloon without popping it.

Sponsoring the PlastiVan visit is one of a number of programs BASF does with Ascension Parish public schools. BASF has adopted Galvez Middle School and provides the school with supplies and equipment, as well as speakers and judges for special events. The company also assists Galvez with other school-related projects.

“Bringing the PlastiVan to Ascension Parish is another great way BASF reaches out to the Ascension Parish community,” said Mike Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BASF’s Geismar site. “These experiments really make science more interesting for the students. It’s a great way to show students how important the chemical products made by companies in our parish are to everyday life.”

Marjorie Weiner, North American Outreach Director for the National Plastics Center, said the PlastiVan program helps students understand the role plastics play in their lives.

“With these demonstrations, we’re getting students excited about technology, and the manufacturing of products through chemistry,” Weiner said. “We show them that you can’t go more than 10 minutes without touching a BASF product, whether it’s the fibers in your blue jeans or the plastic in your pen.”

BASF’s Geismar site manufactures a wide range of chemicals used in hundreds of consumer products.

For more information, contact:
Helen Cane
BASF
Tel: (225) 339-7207
E-mail: caneh@basf.com

Maureen Paukert
BASF
Tel: (973) 245-6077
E-mail: paukerm@basf.com