BASF Grants Money to New Jersey Schools
Each winner received $5,000 to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education within their schools.
To be selected, BASF invited New Jersey schools to submit proposals explaining their specific science education needs, and share how a grant would help them achieve those needs. An internal science advisory committee comprised of BASF scientists and business leaders reviews the proposals and the winners are chosen.
“Our goal is to engage students in creative new ways that will stimulate their interest in STEM related fields and encourage them to view science as a long-term field of study and possible career path,” BASF North America Vice President Robin Rotenberg said.
Some examples of how winning schools will put their money to use include: a Meteorology club, purchasing new technology and equipment to enhance science labs, and buying GoPro cameras to study physics.
The BASF Science Education Grants were awarded during a reception at the BASF’s North American headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey.
BASF is the world’s leading chemistry company in the world, and the second largest producer and marketer of chemicals and related products in North America.
STEM has been heavily pushed in education in recent years, largely due to the number of open jobs in the fields yet not enough people to fill them. I love that BASF recognizes this fact, and generously donated money to allow 20 schools in New Jersey to make changes in their schools. It is refreshing to see a successful company eager to better our student’s education and engage them in STEM subjects.
I think the $5,000 grants are a great way to reward the schools who are investing in STEM education. Our country needs to raise more students who want to pursue fields in these careers, and I am glad to read that BASF is putting there money towards doing just that.
STEM-related programs are getting a lot of money and grants, it seems. I wish we could get more funding to other areas of study, too. I don’t want all of our focus to be on STEM subjects and have the other subjects get neglected.
BASF recognizes the importance of making STEM subjects interesting and encouraging students to pursue a degree in science. Many students don’t recognize the many doors a science degree can open, which is why we have such a shortage of adults qualified to work in STEM fields. I think BASF’s donations will help make some changes for the positive and result in the growth of students who pursue degrees and careers in STEM-related fields.