'Water loves chemistry' at BASF Kids' Lab

MANILA, Philippines - To support the International Year of Chemistry, BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, is introducing a new experiment program at BASF Kids’ Lab.

Now on its seventh year in the Philippines, the BASF Kids’ Lab was held last Sept. 15 at the BASF Agricultural Research Foundation in Bay, Laguna.

BASF introduced the “Water Loves Chemistry” experiment program to more than 500 Grade 4 to Grade 6 students from three public elementary schools in Laguna. The children learned how chemistry contributes to responsible use of water as a valuable resource.

The BASF Kids’ Lab was established by BASF in Germany in 1997 and was the first interactive chemical laboratory for children in Europe.

The simple and safe experiments at the BASF Kids’ Lab are designed to spark children’s curiosity about science.

The BASF Kids’ Lab was introduced to the Asia-Pacific region in 2002 and was first held in the Philippines in 2005. To date, it has enabled more than 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.

Under the supervision of BASF Philippines employees and volunteer teachers from the elementary schools of Tranca, Maitim and Masaya, the students who participated in this year’s BASF Kids’ Lab completed the two-part “Water Loves Chemistry” experiment program.

In the water purification experiment, the students learned how dirty water can be purified and turned into clean water by using activated charcoal. 

The experiment underscored the value of clean drinking water and the importance of purifying wastewater from houses and factories before it flows back into the rivers and lakes.

In the water storage experiment, the students learned how a chemical compound called superabsorbent polymer can absorb water and its applications in baby diapers.

“This year’s BASF Kids Lab aims to raise awareness among Filipino children on how chemistry and its products help make life safer, easier and more enjoyable. We want to help develop future Filipino chemists who are committed to environment protection and sustainable development,” said Flor Pan, managing director of BASF Philippines Inc.

“Through Kids’ Lab, BASF hopes to educate Filipino children about the fundamental role chemistry will play in addressing vital issues such as energy and food security, transportation, construction and housing,” said Pan.