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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