BASF brings science to life for eighth-grade students

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, August 18, 2017 – According to the Brookings Institute, there are 26 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) jobs available in the United States. Employees from BASF’s Research Triangle Park location are helping to fill those jobs by conducting hands-on science experiments with middle school students during the company’s annual Day of Service event.

 

More than 80 BASF employees worked side by side with eighth-grade students from East Wake Middle School in Raleigh to provide real-world STEM educational experiences during the event. Students and volunteers conducted hands-on experiments to determine the effect of soil pH on the solubility of minerals and to learn the importance of filtering contaminants from water. In addition, students gathered in small groups during mentorship sessions to ask STEM-related questions and discuss career opportunities with BASF chemists, biologists and executives.

 

“A study by the U.S. Department of Education noted that only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF Crop Protection North America. “The goal of our Day of Service is to spark student interest in science and agriculture. We are proud to partner with Wake County Public Schools to help foster STEM education in our local schools.”

 

In addition, BASF donated $2,000 to help the school establish an AgriScience program. The funds will be used to purchase items for the program, including renewable energy wind power kits and egg incubators.

 

“The need for STEM professionals will continue to grow,” said Rea. “By showing students how interesting and important science can be, we can greatly increase their drive to pursue scientific careers.”

 

For press photos, please click on the following links:

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2017/08/08-18-17_STEM.jpg

 

About BASF’s Crop Protection division

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. BASF’s Crop Protection division works with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others to help make this possible. With their cooperation, BASF is able to sustain an active R&D pipeline, an innovative portfolio of products and services, and teams of experts in the lab and in the field to support customers in making their businesses succeed. In 2016, BASF’s Crop Protection division generated sales of more than €5.6 billion. For more information, please visit us at  www.agriculture.basf.com or on any of our  social media channels.

 

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $16.2 billion in 2016. 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 114,000 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 about €58 billion in 2016. 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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