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BASF provides $80,000 in Science Education Grants to New Jersey schools
“Our goal is to engage students in creative new ways that will stimulate their interest in science,” said Robin Rotenberg, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for North America at BASF Corporation. “Through the programs supported by these grants, we hope to inspire a new generation of scientists who will become the innovators, leaders and stewards of the future.”
Each year, BASF invites local schools to submit proposals summarizing their specific science education needs and how a grant would help them meet those needs. The proposals are reviewed by an internal science advisory committee composed of BASF scientists and business leaders.
In addition to these grants, BASF runs several award winning science education programs that encourage students to enjoy and pursue their interest in science. These include the company’s Kids’ Lab program, a series of hands on chemistry experiments for children ages 6 - 12; the BASF Science Academy, an advanced chemistry summer residency program for High School juniors, and a special science edition of Kids X-Press magazine that is published twice a year and distributed globally.
BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. 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 with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
The BASF Science Education Grants were provided to the following schools during a reception at BASF’s North American headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey:
- Boonton High School, Boonton School District
For a student mentoring program using Vernier technology equipment
High school students will use Vernier equipment during the early part of the school year for the lab component of AP classes (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). Once the AP exams are over in early May, the high school students will work with students at the John Hill Middle School using the technology to collect and analyze “real time” data in a lab program appropriate for a middle school but still including the higher level thinking of an AP class. It is anticipated that the overall program will benefit 6-12 grade students over a period of several years and increase the number of students interested in the AP programs.
- Branchburg Central Middle School, Branchburg Township School District
For Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices
Students will learn to use technology to solve problems, as well as share their technology skills with their families and create a lifelong interest in the environment and its preservation. Working with the GPS units, students will learn how to read a map and solve problems in different science challenges related to grade level curriculum. The students will also create an index of native New Jersey plants and locations to share with their community.
- BRICK Avon Academy, Newark Public Schools
For a student garden
The school garden will connect all the sciences taught in elementary school – life, earth, and physical. Students will track garden growth through science journals, artwork, and photography. Data tables will be constructed and displayed in the school. Through the development, maintenance, and future expansion of this garden, students will experience the importance of leadership, cooperation, responsibility, and ownership in their communities.
- BRICK Peshine Academy, Newark Public Schools
For a robotics program
A FIRST LEGO League, robotics program will provide students with an opportunity to explore real-world engineering challenges by building computer controlled LEGO based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. This program will enhance, develop and refine skills in mathematics, problem-solving, critical thinking, technology, research and writing. It will also develop team building and presentation skills that are necessary to participate in the global world. Students will discover exciting career possibilities and through this process, learn to make positive contributions to society. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global robotics program.
- Brooklake Elementary School, Florham Park School District
For telescopes, microscopes, a stream table and a bird camera
The grant money will be used to outfit and enhance multiple learning centers in the school’s new, dedicated, science classroom. This will increase student access to hands-on learning through the use of laboratory quality microscopes, telescopes and other equipment. The multiple learning centers in the classroom will also allow special needs students to explore science activities of their own choosing at their own pace; thereby, increasing their knowledge, skills, and ability to be successful in science. In addition, the classroom would be used by the after-school science club.
- Celebrate the Children, Wharton, NJ
For a full biology lab
The biology laboratory will include middle – high school level equipment including safety materials; models of the human skeleton, brain, heart, lungs, eye, and dissection supplies and specimens. Since the students have disabilities that affect the functioning of their bodies, the school focuses on life science and biology curricula in a way that will afford them better knowledge of the human body. The new safety and life science materials will allow students to participate in an experience-based science curriculum and help the school fulfill the rigorous requirements of the New Jersey core curriculum content standards.
- Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morris School District
For classroom laptops with touch screens
Computers will be equipped with touch screens to allow special needs students to work with PhET science simulations. PhET is a web based hands-on approach to learning that would allow students to explore earth science through a multi-sensory approach. Through this program, students will gain a deeper knowledge of plate tectonics, astronomy, weather and climate, and ecology.
- Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School, Hanover Park Regional High School District
For an expanded physics program
All levels of the schools’ physics programs will be expanded to enhance studies of rotational motion, electricity and magnetism. Teachers will have the equipment to perform demonstrations and enable the students to apply skills and knowledge of rotational velocity and acceleration, voltage, current, ohm’s law, electric fields, magnetic fields, Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction and polarization. Students will explore these concepts in physics through experimental design and inquiry-based learning.
- Katharine D. Malone School, Rockaway Township School District
For a planting area
Students will plant, observe and maintain an agricultural area during the spring, summer, and fall. Each grade level, K-5, will benefit from this area in many ways as follows: kindergarten – exploration of the world; first grade – life cycle of a butterfly; second grade – understanding and identifying the parts of a flower; third grade – comparing our environment with the environments around the world; fourth grade – hands on understanding of biotic factors, abiotic factors, seed dispersal, and the food chain; fifth grade – environmental studies.
- Lincoln Middle School, Passaic School District
For a Galileoscope
A Galileoscope is a remarkably inexpensive, high-quality; easy-to-use refracting telescope developed by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers, and science educators. Students will build the Galileoscope and use it to repeat for themselves the spectacular observations made by Galileo beginning in 1609. They will experiment with lenses while building the telescope; make and share observations of the solar system, constellations, galaxies, meteors, and experience first-hand the impact of astronomical observation.
- Lincoln Park Middle School, Lincoln Park School District
For a 3-D scanner and 3-D printer
The school will purchase a 3D scanner and a 3D printer to enhance its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming. This new technology is used in many occupations from advertising and marketing to engineering. Students will be able to use these tools to help them succeed in competition. For example, in the Junior Solar Sprints competition, they will be able to design and manufacture wheels with the necessary diameter for their solar powered vehicle so it can perform at its maximum capacity. Another use for such tools would be to complete a unit on manufacturing. Students could design and manufacture items to sell in the school store.
- Lincoln-Roosevelt School, Roxbury Township School District
For their Trout in the Classroom program
Sixth grade students will learn about the ideal conditions to raise brook trout from eggs to fingerlings in a program that focuses on the environmental needs of various organisms. The Trout in the Classroom program is cross-curricular and can encompass many subject areas such as science, math, art, language arts, reading, technology, music and more. The BASF grant supports the preparation, engineering and design of the classroom aquariums, materials for upkeep of the tanks, and a field trip experience to Adventure Aquarium that coordinates with the scope of this project. Next year’s class will continue the project by raising the fish for release into an approved trout stream.
- Mount Arlington School, Mount Arlington School District
For a robotics and community outreach program
Grades 3 - 8 will discover programming language and design LEGO robots to demonstrate their measurement and data analysis skills. They will use the robots to compete in task specific time trials. As a community component, students will be paired with senior citizens to design a robot to assist the seniors with a daily task. The goal will be to establish a school-wide robotics team to compete in the FIRST LEGO Robotics competition.
- Ridgedale Middle School, Florham Park School District
For renovations to the wellness center
The school’s wellness center will be renovated to incorporate developmentally appropriate science labs to be used with students in the Learning Language Disability classroom, who need the assistance of hands-on projects to build an understanding of simple life skills science. The science labs will focus on the following concepts: measurement, food science, the living planet, and the world in which we live. The goal will be measured through the students’ progress and ability to complete the labs at their understanding level and to apply simple scientific concepts to their everyday life.
- Washington Middle School, Harrison School District
For a green house
The green house will be incorporated into the school’s STEM curriculum and will be built by students. In addition to the 7th grade biology/plant curriculum, the green house will serve as a cross curriculum tool in various areas such as health by supplying fresh produce to the lunch program, math and business will be covered as students grow and sell mother’s day plants, basic farming principles will tie into the science program and language arts will be incorporated through writing and promoting of the new facility and activities.
- West Morris Central High School, West Morris Regional High School District
The BASF Grant will be shared among five programs developed by West Morris students as follows:
Photosynthesis Activity materials to tap 4 maple trees proposed by Kaeli Sullivan, High School Junior
One of the most important concepts in understanding biology at a high school level is the process of photosynthesis. A hands-on method to understanding this important process is tapping maple trees for their sap. The grant money will be used to purchase materials to tap four maple trees. This exhibits the visual occurrence of photosynthesis within the tree and allows students to physically see the product of photosynthesis and examine how one species of tree takes sunlight and produces its own energy.
3D Models proposed by Zachary Sisco, High School Senior
Three dimensional models of animal, plant, and human cells will be displayed in the science classroom. The models will allow students to truly see and understand the structures and use behind organisms' cells.
WARD'S Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome Lab Kits proposed by Daniel Moylan, High School Senior
The goal of this lab activity is to attain a greater knowledge of DNA sequencing that can only be appreciated through actual models. This will allow students to develop an understanding of DNA that will be very significant for those who go on to have careers in biology.
Sordaria Genetics Advanced Student Lab Kits proposed by Hannah Foster, High School Senior
The students will observe how two varieties of the Sordaria fimicola fungi grow and go through their life cycle after they have been crossed. Two strains of the fungi will be crossed and their cross plates and the color of their ascospores will be examined.
Understanding Carbohydrate Storage through the Collection of Maple Syrup proposed by John Tsamutalis, High School Senior
This project aims to increase the understanding of how the properties of life are incorporated in local organisms such as the maple tree. Energy processing and response to environmental changes will be observed and analyzed through the collection of maple tree sap as well as observations of how the maple behaves throughout various seasons.
Following are links to press photos of each grant presentation:
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdBoonton.jpg
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Representatives from Boonton High School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are Charles Crosby, Dean of Programs and Students; Jacklyn Richardson, Principal; Jennifer Donnelly Science Teacher; David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdBranchburg.jpg
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Representatives from Branchburg Central Middle School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are Suzanne Updegrove, Gifted and Talented Teacher; Shannon Heaney, 6th Grade Science Teacher; Matt Ross, 6th Grade Science Teacher; David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdBrickAvon.jpg
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Representatives from BRICK Avon Academy received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are Wanda Faulcon Davis, 8th Grade Science Teacher; Marc Harris, 7th Grade Science Teacher; Madeleine Whitaker, 6th Grade Science Teacher; Mindy Weidman, Vice Principal; Nichelle Holder, Director of Development; David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdBrickPeshine.jpg
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Representatives from BRICK Peshine Academy received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are Tameshone Lewis, Vice Principal; Sabrina Meah, Chief Innovation Officer; Cynthia Reeder-Thomas, 6th and 7th Grade Science Teacher; Desiree Jones, 8th Grade Science Teacher; Nichelle Holder, Director of Development; David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdBrooklake.jpg
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Representatives from Brooklake Elementary School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are Mark Majeski, Principal and Director of Curriculum; Steven Caponegro, Principal and Director of Special Services; David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdCelebrate.jpg
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Representatives from Celebrate the Children received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Kelly Ann Reilly, Teacher of Students with Disabilities and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdFrelinghuysen.jpg
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Representatives from Frelinghuysen Middle School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Edward Cohen, Supervisor of Science; Deirdre Falk, 6th Grade Special Education Teacher; Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdHanoverWhippany.jpg
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Representatives from Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; John Manning, Principal of Whippany Park High School; Noemi Schlecht, Supervisor of Instruction; Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation; Thomas Callanan, Principal of Hanover Park High School.
htttos/11-25p://www.basf.us/presspho-13SciEdMalone.jpg
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Representatives from Katharine D. Malone School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Kirsten Insigna, 5th grade Language Arts and Science Teacher; June Beck, 4th grade Science and Math Teacher and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdLincolnMiddle.jpg
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Representatives from Lincoln Middle School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Lynne O'Sullivan, 7th Grade Teacher; Gopika Kapadia, 7th Grade Teacher; Nilda Carbonell, Science Department Chair; Ellen Ziff, Director of Grants and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdLincolnPark.jpg
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Representatives from Lincoln Park Middle School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Michael Meyer, Principal; Robert Neal, STEM Teacher; James Grube, Superintendent of Schools and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdLincolnRoosevelt.jpg
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Representatives from Lincoln-Roosevelt School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Patrick Tierney, Superintendent; Shawn Smith, Teacher; Melissa Cosgrove, Supervisor of Applied Sciences K-6; Al Gaul, Teacher and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdMtArlington.jpg
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Representatives from Mount Arlington School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Jeff Grillo, Principal; Elizabeth Cangiano, Board Member; Jane Mullins Jameson, Superintendent; Julie Crawford, Gateway Teacher; Kristine Koeppe, Technology Teacher and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdRidgedale.jpg
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Representatives from Ridgedale Middle School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Mark Majeski, Principal and Director of Curriculum; Karen Stein, Science Teacher and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdWashington.jpg
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Representatives from Washington Middle School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Michael Landy, Administrator in Charge; Amanda Kartanowicz, Head of Environmental Club and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-25-13SciEdWestMorris.jpg
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Representatives from West Morris Central High School received their BASF science education grant during a reception at the company's Florham Park headquarters. Pictured from left to right are David Blackwood, Vice President, Market/Customer Development, BASF Corporation; Zachary Sisco, Senior; Lisa Gizas, Teacher of Advanced Placement Biology; Kaeli Sullivan, Junior; John Tsamutalis, Senior; Margaret Sheldon, District Science Supervisor; Daniel Moylan, Senior; Hannah Foster, Senior and Maureen Paukert, Manager, Site & Community Relations, BASF Corporation.
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