BASF Kids’ Lab first landed in Zhanjiang, sparking children’s scientific aspirations

• The program provides an immersive science education journey for around 360 kids in Zhanjiang, helping them to explore the mysteries of chemistry
• A hands-on experiment on climate change enables children to experience the temperature changes and understand the importance of sustainability

Zhanjiang, China – August 26, 2023 – Today, BASF launched its 2023 BASF Kids’ Lab Zhanjiang session, marking the inaugural run of the program in Zhanjiang since its introduction to China over two decades ago. During the two-day activity, more than 360 children from across the Zhanjiang city will delve into the fascinating world of chemistry through experiments and interactive visit, further fostering their creativity and curiosity.

BASF has long been dedicated to promoting science education for children in China, with the Kids' Lab being a crucial aspect of this effort. In Zhanjiang, BASF Kids’ Lab presents "Cooling Experience", an experiment designed to deepen children's understanding about climate change. Through such accessible and safe experiments, children can experience the impact of temperature changes, explore the role of chemical innovation in environmental protection, and understand the concepts and implications of sustainable development. Moreover, three interactive zones – “The story between Nobel Prize achievements in chemistry and everyday life", "Overview of BASF group history and its Zhanjiang Verbund site", and "BASF’s engagement with the local community", are set up at the event, enabling children to approach chemistry in an enjoyable, yet scientifically rigorous way, thereby igniting children’s aspirations for science. It also helps the Zhanjiang community get a better understanding of BASF and its Zhanjiang Verbund site.

"This year, we are proud to introduce the renowned BASF Kids’ Lab program to Zhanjiang for the first time. As a responsible member of the community, BASF is committed to growing together with the communities where we operate, creating more value for Zhanjiang local communities, and collectively striving for a more sustainable future,” said Haryono Lim, Senior Vice President, New Verbund Site China of BASF & General Manager, BASF Integrated Site (Guangdong) Co. Ltd. “Through hands-on experiments, we not only disseminate fundamental chemical knowledge to children, but also inspire them to take proactive steps towards environmental protection at an early age and contribute to a more eco-friendly, green, and low-carbon future."

Since 2002, BASF Kids' Lab has been promoting science education among children in China. The Kid’s Lab program was introduced to China in 2002 and has attracted more than 200,000 children over the past 20 years. In addition, BASF also recruited and trained thousands of volunteer teachers, many of whom participated in BASF Kids' Lab programs during their childhoods. This year, more than 50 university students from well-known universities – such as Peking University, Zhejiang University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Ningbo University, Southwest University and Lingnan Normal University – will become volunteer teachers to guide children in the experiments.
 

In Zhanjiang, the 2023 BASF Kids’ Lab arrangements are as below:

Cooling Experience (45-minute workshop, eligible for children aged 6-12 years old)

Global warming is a serious issue in today’s world. In this experiment, children will make a cooling layer for ice water, build a simple electric cooling circuit, and make a gel that changes its color by a temperature change. With the experiment, children can experience the temperature changes firsthand, start to understand the importance of sustainable development, and adopt a low-carbon lifestyle to help "cool" the earth together.

About BASF in Greater China

BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. With large production sites in Shanghai, Nanjing, Chongqing, and Zhanjiang as well as a regional research and development hub in Shanghai, BASF is a major foreign investor in the country's chemical industry. BASF posted sales of approximately €11.6 billion in 2022 to customers in Greater China and employed 11,411 people as of the end of the year. For further information, please visit www.basf.com/cn.