Laguna pupils learn chemistry the fun way

MANILA, Philippines - Over 500 Grade 2 to Grade 6 students from two public schools in Bay, Laguna learned about chemistry the fun way at the recent 6th BASF Kids’ Lab.

An annual event organized by BASF Philippines Inc., this year’s Kids’ Lab was held at the BASF Agricultural Research Foundation research facility in Bay town.

The BASF Kids’ Lab was established by BASF in Germany in 1997 and was the first interactive chemical laboratory for children in Europe. It was introduced in the Asia-Pacific in 2002 and was first held in the Philippines in 2005.

To date, the BASF Kids’ Lab has enabled close to 4,000 Filipino children from various public and private elementary schools to experience the magic of chemistry while learning how this branch of science can benefit the environment.

The 2010 BASF Kids’ Lab featured three experiments demonstrating the vital role of chemistry in everyday life.

The experiments were conducted under the guidance of “mentors” consisting of BASF Philippines employees and volunteer teachers from the Puypuy and Paciano Rizal elementary schools.

The mentors pointed out the relation of chemistry to things and occurrences in the children’s everyday lives.

They also encouraged the students to make suggestions on how to do the experiments as well as to ask questions and discuss their observations and results.

Each student was provided a feedback sticker where they wrote their comments, which were then posted on a designated “BASF Kids’ Lab Wall.”

“The BASF Kids’ Lab aims to give young Filipino students the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of chemistry through safe and fun experiments. BASF hopes that the Kids’ Lab will spark in young Filipinos an interest in chemistry and inspire them to become scientists who can help in nation building,” said Jessica Lara, president and managing director of BASF Philippines Inc.