BASF and the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center partner to create chemistry with local schools and community

MOBILE and MCINTOSH, AL, October 21, 2015 -- The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center  is offering BASF’s award winning Kids’ Lab to fourth grade students from the Washington County School System and Jackson Intermediate School beginning this fall. The Kids’ Lab classes are funded by BASF and provided free of charge to participants. They are also available on weekends to the general public with paid admission to the Exploreum.  

“Kids’ Lab is a fun, interactive experience that allows students to learn how chemistry improves everyday life,” said George Vann, Vice President of the BASF site in McIntosh. “In addition to our outreach at the Exploreum, BASF employee volunteers delivered the program to nearly 7,000 local students over the past two years.”

Support of the Exploreum through Kids’ Lab is part of BASF’s ongoing effort to promote and enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the region. BASF developed its global Kids’ Lab program to encourage children ages 6 -12 to gain a better appreciation of and interest in the dynamic world of chemistry. In each instructor-led Kids’ Lab workshop, participants explore chemistry through safe and engaging experiments, coupled with interactive demonstrations. Each participant receives a lab apron, safety goggles, a certificate of participation, and a pouch filled with other take-home items.

"Our partnership with BASF allows us to offer quality programs in chemistry and science as part of our commitment to STEM education,” said Jan McKay, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Exploreum. “The support complements chemistry programs in our area schools and gives our young scientists a solid foundation for doing great things in the future.”

For more information and to check the schedule, visit www.exploreum.com or call 251-208-6893.

Download photo on right, suggested caption: Local students and families experience chemistry through hands-on learning in the BASF sponsored Kids’ Lab at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center.

About the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

With more than 150 interactive exhibits, thought-provoking larger-than-life IMAX films, and fun, hands-on educational programming, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center aspires to increase science literacy among the people of south Alabama and the Gulf Coast region, residents and visitors alike. The Exploreum welcomes on an average 150,000 visitors annually. Since opening in its current location, the Exploreum has taught more than 400,000 school children.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20.6 billion in 2014. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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