BASF Funds New Jersey Schools with $100,000 to Support Science Education

Florham Park-based BASF Corporation awarded 20 New Jersey public schools $5,000 each to support science education programs in 12 of the 21 counties in the state. The awarded grants will enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related initiatives for students, grades K-12.

“Our goal is to develop and engage students in science so they can discover and innovate solutions to shape our future,” said Robin Rotenberg, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for North America at BASF Corporation. “Through these grants, we are giving our educators the tools they need to enhance their teaching in the classroom. BASF hopes to encourage students to view science as a long-term field of study and possible career path.”

Each year BASF invites all New Jersey public schools to submit a proposal summarizing their specific science education needs and how a grant would help students explore STEM. This year, the company received 118 proposals from 20 counties.

Past recipients have used their grants to advance learning about the environment, robotics and technology. In 2015, John P. Stevens High School in Edison built a greenhouse to educate students about the importance of our ecosystem, while also providing horticultural therapy to disabled students.

West Morris Central High School in Morris County investigated why there is a spike in allergic reactions during holiday season. The class collected air samples of 100 homes in the community and found that the amount of airborne mold in a house doubles when a live Christmas tree is in the home. The students achieved a publication of their findings in the National High School Journal of Science.

BASF presented the 2016 Science Education Grants to the following schools during a reception at the company’s North American headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey:

Alexander Batcho Intermediate School, Somerset County

Bard High School Early College, Essex County

Branchburg Central Middle School, Somerset County

Colonia Middle School, Middlesex County

Community Middle School, Middlesex County

Michael Conti PS 5, Hudson County

Grover Cleveland Middle School, Essex County

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Hunterdon County

John P. Stevens High School, Middlesex County

Mountain Lakes High School, Morris County

Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School, Ocean County

Ocean City High School, Cape May County

Oliver Street School, Essex County

Passaic Valley Regional High School, Passaic County

Randall Carter Elementary School, Passaic County

Samuel Mickle School, Gloucester County

Stillwater Township School, Sussex County

Terence C. Reilly School, Union County

University High School, Essex County

West Morris Central High School, Morris County 

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