BASF India Ltd. conducted the inaugural session of its flagship chemistry program — Kids’ Lab — at its site in Turbhe on Thursday. The programme focuses on imparting knowledge to students about interesting, yet simple chemistry experiments that can be used to enrich the daily lives of people.
The programme was inaugurated by Michael Steiner, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in India. Also present at the opening ceremony was Raman Ramachandran, head, South Asia and chairman of BASF India Ltd.
On the first day of the programme, 16 students from Meerut’s KV Sikh Lines school participated, who had come second in the ‘Germany in my mind’ competition held early this year, wherein they designed a school magazine in German. The competition was organised by the German Embassy, New Delhi and the Max Mueller Bhavan. There were also a total of 15 kids from the NGO Muktangan.
Speaking about the initiative, Steiner said, “The Kids’ Lab will be a fascinating experience for not only you kids, but also for us.” Congratulating the students of KV, he said they had done a marvellous job in the competition and will have the opportunity to experience cutting-edge research made in Germany in a kid-like manner.
“Children are the change agents of tomorrow and through Kids’ Lab, we want to offer them the opportunity to learn more about the crucial role played by chemistry in improving our daily lives,” said Ramachandran.
A total of five experiments were taught to the students. While the water purification experiment focused on the removal of solid particles from water and demonstrating how waste water is treated, the water storage experiment showed suitable techniques of water conservation. The lotus effect experiment explained how BASF’s textile chemicals can help keep clothes stain-free, involving less use of water. Students also saw how individual components are separated from a mixture in the paper chromatography experiment. Lastly, students were taught how to make hair gel at home. Both, Steiner and Ramachandran, visited all experiment tables and interacted with the students on what they learnt from the experiments.
The Kids’ Lab programme was started in India in 2004, and it has been organised in partnership with several educational institutions. At the Turbhe site of the company, the programme will continue till December 15, with free entry for students of private and public schools as well as NGOs.
