- Around 800 primary students will become scientists for a day with hands-on chemistry experiments at the University of Indonesia on August 8-10
- The first-ever BASF Kids’ Lab in collaboration with a local university in Indonesia
- Bringing free and interactive educational program to around 9,000 children in Indonesia since 2005
Depok, Indonesia – August 8, 2019 – BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, together with the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), inspire children to explore the wonders of chemistry in daily life at BASF Kids’ Lab on August 8-10, 2019. Held at FMIPA UI campus in Depok, this is the first time BASF collaborates with a local university in Indonesia on hosting Kids’ Lab.
“BASF’s Kids’ Lab let children explore chemistry in an interactive and enjoyable way, so that they can develop an interest in science, and appreciate especially the value of chemistry in everyday life, from an early age,” said Agus Ciputra, President Director of BASF Indonesia. “We are pleased to collaborate with the University of Indonesia to nurture children’s curiosity in science. This will prepare them to meet the rapid science and technology developments in Indonesia and around the world.”
Similarly, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Abdul Haris, Dean of FMIPA UI applauds the cooperation between the Department of Chemistry at FMIPA UI with BASF. “Over the years, the Department of Chemistry at FMIPA UI has been generating creative, innovative, and highly competent professionals. Together with BASF, we introduce chemistry to primary school students to inspire them, that chemistry is an interesting subject to study. It is astounding to ponder that chemistry always exists in our daily life without us realizing.”
This year, approximately 800 primary school students conduct safe and hands-on chemistry experiments under the guidance of UI lecturers and students, as well as BASF volunteers. The Kids’ Lab experiments include:
Red Cabbage Indicator
Natural colorants give fruit and vegetables all kinds of colors. Children will learn about anthocyanin, a plant pigment, of red cabbage and observe how its color changes in different pH conditions.
Where is the Vitamin C?
Children will compare vitamin C content in different orange juices and learn that a variety of fruit juices may contain different concentrations of essential vitamin.
Paper Chromatography
Children will learn a simple chromatographic process to separate the components of a marker pen toner using water and paper filters.
The BASF Kids’ Lab is a free and interactive chemistry education program designed for children between 6 and 12 years old. Through safe and engaging hands-on experiments, the program helps children understand the role of chemistry in daily life. Since its launch in Germany in 1997, the program has been brought to more than 30 countries and regions across the globe. In Indonesia, around 9,000 children have participated since it was first introduced in 2005.
About BASF in Indonesia
BASF has been investing in Indonesia since 1976. Today, BASF solutions support Indonesia’s key industries including agriculture, nutrition & health, and home & personal care. The head office for BASF Indonesia is located in Jakarta, and BASF operates four production sites, in Cengkareng, Cimanggis, Cikarang and Merak. In 2018, BASF posted sales of approximately €503 million to customers in Indonesia and employed 697 employees as of the end of the year. Further information is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/id.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
About Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Indonesia
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) was founded on December 21, 1960. Today, FMIPA UI is supported by 163 teaching faculties and 130 administration staff and has generated more than 20,000 graduates. FMIPA UI offers bachelor, master, and doctorate programs under 5 departments: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geography, and one program directly managed under the faculty, i.e. Geoscience (bachelor’s degree in Geology and in Geophysics).
The vision of FMIPA UI is to be globally recognized mathematics and natural sciences faculty to promote science and sustainable development. To achieve its vision, FMIPA UI consistently exercises Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tridarma) to create highly intellectual graduates who demonstrate integrity and are capable to compete globally, stimulate academic atmosphere and research culture to support sustainable development, and actively contribute to the advancement of science and innovation.
