BASF supports science education in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE and GEISMAR, LA, February 6, 2012 -- Employee volunteers from BASF in Geismar, La., are bringing the company’s popular Kids’ Lab program to students (kindergarten through eighth grade) at St. George School in Baton Rouge, La. On January 31 and February 6, students performed hands-on chemistry experiments exploring chemical absorption, how polymers work and the mysteries of chromatography.

“Our hope is that this enthusiasm for experimenting and chemistry will carry on year after year. We really want kids to explore education in the sciences,” said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and Manager of the BASF site in Geismar. “Through our Kids’ Lab program, we are creating fun with chemistry and encouraging kids to explore the connections to chemistry in the world around them.”

Each instructor-led Kids’ Lab workshop offers safe and engaging chemical experiments, coupled with interactive demonstrations. Some of the experiment topics include water purification, chalk and paper chromatography, pH indicators and a real kid favorite, making slime.

Children receive a lab apron, safety glasses, a certificate of participation and a pouch filled with other takeaway items. Accompanying these materials is the Kids’ Lab mascot, morpH™, a cartoon-like element that can “morph” into any of the basic forms of matter – a solid, liquid or gas.

Kids’ Lab was established at BASF’s global headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 1997, and is currently available in 16 countries worldwide. In North America, BASF’s aim is to foster science literacy. The company supports several programs that encourage students to enjoy and pursue their interest in science and explore career possibilities in the fields of science, math and technology. More than 30,000 students participated in BASF science education programs during 2011.

To see Kids’ Lab in action, please click here to view a video on YouTube.

For press photos of BASF’s Kids Lab program, please click on the following links:

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/02-06-12_St.George-1.jpg

Suggested photo caption:

BASF volunteer Mike Simmons works with a group of St. George’s School fourth graders in an experiment about chromatography.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/02-06-12_St.George-2.jpg

Suggested photo caption:

BASF Volunteer Joellen Williams shows students how to fold filter paper in an experiment about chromatography entitled "The Rainbow Connection."

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/02-06-12_St.George-3.jpg

Suggested photo caption:

BASF Volunteer Robert Arceneaux works alongside St. George third graders making slippery slime.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/02-06-12_St.George-4.jpg

Suggested photo caption:

A student from St. George School plays with her slippery slime made in a Kids' Lab experiment that focuses on polymers.

For more information about BASF’s Kids Lab program, please contact Molly Rosig at BASF Corporation, 973-245-6756 or molly.rosig@basf.com.

morpH is a trademark of BASF Corporation.

BASF – The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of 2010. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

P-12-031