BASF welcomes local high school students for deer population study

TOMS RIVER, NJ, December 22, 2016 – Manchester Township High School students enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science course will be investigating a local deer population as part of a unique partnership with BASF.

William Schmidt, AP Environmental Science Teacher from Manchester Township High School, came up with the research project after noticing significant deer activity during his commute to work along Route 37 in Toms River.

“I realized the former Ciba-Geigy site might be an advantageous area to conduct a research study due to its size and the fact that it is contained by a fence,” said Schmidt. “I approached BASF about the idea and they were immediately supportive.”

BASF took ownership of the Ciba-Geigy site in Toms River when it acquired the company in 2009. The 1200-acre property is situated along the Toms River and contains native forest, grasslands and wetlands. The Wildlife Habitat Council recently awarded a conservation certification to the site.

Schmidt and his AP Environmental Science students began visiting the site in October and will continue their work through the end of the school year. BASF is providing access to the site and purchased motion-detecting digital cameras which are installed throughout the property to enhance the study of the deer population. Photos and associated data, for example time and temperature, will be retrieved by students and analyzed in the classroom. Using this data, the students will establish baselines for sex ratios, activity times and population numbers and develop research questions for further study.

“This area, with its diverse array of wildlife and nature is the perfect place for a ‘living classroom’,” said Steve Havlik, BASF Site Manager. “BASF is always looking for new and innovative ways to support learning, especially in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.”

Portions of the site have been undergoing environmental remediation under the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency. Currently BASF operates an extensive groundwater pump and treat system there. Students from various schools and colleges have observed the science behind the remediation over the years.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our high school students to experience an authentic real-world research study in their local community with a global company like BASF,” Dr. Ferrara explained. “This hands-on, inquiry-based field investigation exemplifies the student-centered learning that connects students to their environment and to a community partner while developing the critical skills for future careers in STEM.”

For press photos, please click on the following links:

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2016/12/12-22-2016_BASF_WelcomesStudentsinTomsRiver1.jpg
Suggested caption: A deer observes the scene at the BASF site in Toms River. BASF recently opened its gates to Manchester Township School District for a deer population study conducted by students at Manchester High School.

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2016/12/12-22-2016_BASF_WelcomesStudentsinTomsRiver2.jpg
Suggested caption: Manchester Township High School AP Environmental Science students gear up to head out into the field and collect their data. Students will be conducting a deer population study throughout the 2016/2017 school year.

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2016/12/12-22-2016_BASF_WelcomesStudentsinTomsRiver3.jpg
Suggested caption: Mr. William Schmidt, AP Environmental Science Teacher from Manchester Township High School, leads his students into the field. Students will be conducting a deer population study throughout the 2016/2017 school year.

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2016/12/12-22-2016_BASF_WelcomesStudentsinTomsRiver4.jpg
Suggested caption: Mr. William Schmidt, AP Environmental Science Teacher from Manchester Township High School, and his students examine one of the motion-detecting cameras they will be using to conduct a deer population study throughout the 2016/2017 school year.

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2016/12/12-22-2016_BASF_WelcomesStudentsinTomsRiver5.jpg
Suggested caption: Manchester Township High School AP Environmental Science students work on one of the motion-detecting cameras they will be using to conduct a deer population study throughout the 2016/2017 school year.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.4 billion in 2015. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.
 
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

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