Launch of ScienceXperience
ScienceXperience, a new learning facility designed to encourage primary school children to study STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), opened this week at BASF plc’s production site in Alfreton, Derbyshire.
Amber Valley MP Nigel Mills officially opened ScienceXperience on Monday (February 25th) at an event attended by guests from The Association for Science Education, Leeds Trinity University, Sherwood Forest Education Partnership and senior management from BASF plc. On Tuesday (26th) 60 students from Forest View Academy in New Ollerton were the first to take part in the ScienceXperience.
BASF plc Alfreton Site manager, Nick Maybury commented, “We are proud and excited to be part of this important initiative; introducing young children to the amazing world of science. If we manage to inspire just a few young people to aim towards a career in Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths we will have succeeded! This is a very exciting and rewarding venture for our site.”
Nigel Mills said: “I am delighted to be opening this educational facility on a production site.”
Richard Carter, Managing Director of BASF in the UK & Ireland, told guests at the opening event that BASF sites across the UK had an ongoing commitment to be good neighbours, “ScienceXperience is showcasing work on site and allowing students to experience the world of work, whilst still understanding tasks linked to the Science curriculum.”
Supported by Leeds Trinity University and a team of primary school teachers, the ScienceXperience program was developed to “align with the English National Curriculum” and then support BASF employees in delivering it effectively.
ScienceXperience makes science real for children. “It is supported by BASF employees but underpinned by educational principles” commented Dr Leigh Hoath, Senior Lecturer in Science Education at Leeds Trinity University. “By creating the ScienceXperience from the ground up, we are targeting Key Stage 2 students aged 7-11, to encourage them to continue with their studies in the science subjects later in their schooling. ScienceXperience has the potential to develop and engage students around BASF with tailored experiments specific to the Alfreton site.”
BASF is working closely with Sherwood Forest Education Partnership to help improve science in the local community.
BASF plc manufactures polyurethane solutions at the site at Wimsey Way in Somercotes. As part of the experience, the students will complete investigations using some of the products made on site and see for themselves how the products are used in so many ways and the role chemistry plays in every day life.
