BASF brings STEM education to life during annual Day of Service

Employees conduct science experiments with local students to encourage careers in STEM

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, August 30, 2018 – Eighth grade students from East Wake Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina, conducted real-world science experiments with more than 80 BASF employees during the company’s annual Day of Service. Now in its fourth year, the event gives employees the opportunity to volunteer in local schools to encourage careers in science and math.

According to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, roughly 2.4 million jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are unfilled. Employees from BASF’s Research Triangle Park location are playing their part to encourage more careers in STEM by offering students real insights into their careers. Students see first-hand how science provides solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems.

During BASF’s Day of Service, employees guided students through hands-on experiments that explored pH levels in soil to determine the optimal range for plants to grow and how filtration keeps the water supply chain clean. Employees then met with students in small groups to answer their questions and to mentor them on STEM-related career opportunities.

“As part of our commitment to the Triangle community and to the next generation of ag scientists, we want to foster an interest in STEM from an early age,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions, North America. “We believe that raising the profile of what a career in STEM looks like will ultimately help attract and retain our industry’s future talent. Through our partnership with Wake County Public Schools, we contribute to STEM education initiatives across the county.”

For a press photo, please click the following link:
https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2018/08/08-30-18_BASF_STEMDayOfService.jpg
Suggested photo caption:  With help from BASF employees, students at East Wake Middle School in Raleigh learn how to check pH levels in soil to determine the optimal range for plants to grow.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2017, our division generated sales of €5.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 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 €64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

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