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November 1, 2016
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BASF gets slimy with more than 3,000 students at Worlds of Opportunity career expo

MCINTOSH, AL, November 1, 2016 – Thirty employee volunteers from the BASF site in McIntosh, Alabama, helped local eighth graders become chemists for the day at the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council’s seventh annual Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo. More than 3,000 students engaged with BASF employees to create chemistry and make colorful slime in an interactive, hands-on science experiment.

During the two-day expo at the Mobile Civic Center, students from more than 80 public and private schools visited more than 165 regional companies sorted into 13 “worlds,” representing industries like aerospace, construction, energy, and engineering and design. BASF promoted science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers through an experiment using polymer science to make colorful slime.

“I enjoy watching the students’ reaction once they realize they have created chemistry from everyday household items,” said volunteer Vickie Smith, BASF Production Execution Manager in McIntosh. “It is rewarding to share my experience as an engineer in a manufacturing environment and the career opportunities our industry offers.”

The experiment is one of many offered through the BASF Kids’ Lab program, an award-winning hands-on science program that allows students to experience science in a fun and informative way.

 “Participating in Worlds of Opportunity allows our BASF employee volunteers to raise awareness for our field of work while having fun with students,” said Lyna’ Schell, BASF Human Resources Business Partner. “Our employees emphasize the importance of teamwork, inspire young students and encourage them to think about the career choices they want to pursue.”

Download photo on right, suggested caption #1: Students enjoy creating chemistry while making slime with BASF employees at Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo.

Download photo on right, suggested caption #2: BASF employee Fay Wright shows her son how to make slime at the Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo.

Download photo on right, suggested caption #3:
More than 30 BASF employee volunteers connect with students through chemistry at the Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.4 billion in 2015. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.
 
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.

P-US-16-211

Last Update November 1, 2016