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BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals enlivens STEM education in local schools with $41,800 in grants
PORT ARTHUR, TX, February 26, 2019 — Grants from BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals LLC totaling $41,800 are helping promote and improve science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM) in local classrooms. School districts used funds to purchase creative new learning tools and resources for students in Port Arthur, Port Neches-Groves, Bridge City, Nederland and Lumberton.
“BASF TOTAL’s grant program is one way our company directly supports STEM education in our community schools,” said Greg Masica, Vice President and Site Manager of BASF TOTAL. “We appreciate the work teachers are doing to increase interest in STEM subjects and help students understand how these courses relate to future careers.”
Tyrrell Elementary School in Port Arthur used grant funds to purchase a variety of STEM kits, activities and educational resources to add to their new STEM Lab. Approximately 800 students in grades K-5 practice in the lab once a week.
“We are excited and grateful for the support we always get from BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals,” said Tyrrell Elementary Assistant Principal Erica Gauthier. “The science grant has given us the opportunity to elaborate on the engineering aspect of the STEM concept. We just introduced new learning activities to students during our first National Engineering Week celebration.”
Memorial 9th Grade Academy in Port Arthur used grant funds for an interactive projector that presents visuals and text in an easily accessible format that enhances knowledge and engagement.
“The interactive projector has brought new life to the way teachers interact with students,” said Port Arthur Independent School District Secondary Science Supervisor Melony Puz. “Students are now able to share their thought processes more clearly, so teachers and fellow students can build on their learning experiences together.”
BASF TOTAL offers science grants to schools in neighboring districts. To qualify for funding, neighboring schools must submit proposals detailing how they will use funds to improve and enliven science instruction and create positive impacts on student learning.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 20,000 employees in North America and had sales of $19.7 billion in 2018. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com.
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 exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
