Kids’ Lab to ignite a passion for STEM in Perth kids

• BASF promotes interest in science to primary school kids
• 730 kids from across Perth will participate in Kids’ Lab from August 29 – 2 September.

Perth, Australia – August 29, 2016 - Following National Science Week, BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, will enable a further 730 children to become scientists for a day at Curtin University. Now in its twelfth year, BASF’s Kids’ Lab program provides children with the opportunity to discover the world of chemistry through simple, fun-filled experiments that highlight how chemistry plays a role in enriching our daily lives.

Over five days, from 29 August, the children, aged between nine and twelve from primary schools across Perth, will carry out experiments under the supervision of experienced chemists at Curtin University’s Bentley Campus. The program follows a successful week of Kids’ Lab at Curtin University held in June this year.

“We believe that science education should be fun and draw young kids into the field by having an opportunity to participate in hands-on experiments,” said David Hawkins, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF Australia and New Zealand.

The need to attract kids into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) is more important than ever, as evidenced by this month’s announcement the Turnbull Government will provide $10 million for CSIRO to extend the Scientist and Mathematicians in Schools program.

“STEM skills are critical to the management and success of research and development projects as well as the day to day competitiveness of business,” said David.

“We hope that the Kids’ Lab experience will ignite a passion in science and chemistry that could one day see them working in a company like BASF.”

Curtin University Professor of Chemistry, Mark Buntine, said he was pleased to be working with BASF for the third consecutive year.

“Over the past three years that we’ve worked with BASF to bring Kids’ Lab to Perth, almost 4,500 primary school students have taken part,” Professor Buntine said.

“During this program we are able to show kids how fun science can be and that science isn’t just limited to work done in labs – it’s present in almost all aspects of our lives daily.”

About Curtin University
Curtin University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, humanities, health sciences, resources, engineering and related sciences. Curtin is also recognised for high impact research across four defined and distinct areas of focus; minerals and energy, ICT and emerging technologies, health, and sustainable development. Curtin has close links with corporate business, industry, government and the community and its courses have a strong practical focus, with most involving vocation or work experience components. As a result, Curtin graduates are job-ready and prepared, with skills that enable them to make a genuine and positive influence in a continuously changing world. More information on Curtin’s School of Science can be found at http://science.curtin.edu.au/

About BASF in Australia and New Zealand
BASF posted sales of about €428 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2015, serving key industries in the agriculture, coatings, construction, manufacturing and mining sectors. As of the end of 2015, the company had 442 employees and operated 11 production sites across the sub-region, manufacturing agricultural solutions, performance products and functional materials & solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for more than 90 years, and for about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/au.

About BASF
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 (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.

Photo opportunities:
Photo opportunities are available at this event.