Curiosity and interest in science for a brighter future
Growing seeds and understanding where our food comes from
Emma Gregory, External Communications Manager
| BASF
The need for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills in the UK is paramount for achieving net-zero ambitions for several compelling reasons. As the UK commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a sustainable economy, a skilled workforce equipped with STEM capabilities becomes essential in driving innovation, implementing technology, and fostering the necessary changes in various sectors.
BASF aims to stimulate an interest in science and foster curiosity to encourage future talents into the chemical industry. By engaging in several projects and initiatives, especially near our company sites across the UK, we aim to prepare young people for careers in science and technology, opening up opportunities for wider participation and helping to ensure a pipeline of talent for the industry. Our societal engagement activities at our UK headquarters were recognised by MAKE UK last year, where we were proud recipients of the Manufacturing Matters award.
With almost 10 per cent of our UK workforce volunteering for outreach activities, we are fostering around 17 ongoing partnerships with schools across the UK, showcasing a strong commitment to engaging with the local community. Events offered are varied and bring many benefits to employees who choose to volunteer. The rewarding involvement enables colleagues to work in cross-discipline teams, explore their planning and leadership competencies, and develop their communication skills.
An example of a successful engagement is the developing relationship between BASF STEM Ambassadors and three primary schools situated close to BASF’s UK headquarters in Stockport, Greater Manchester. These STEM ambassadors are a team of volunteers who dedicate their efforts to support STEM education and engagement. They have developed a programme supporting all three schools, alternating the focus of engagement each year. The schools are St Matthew’s Primary School, Lark Hill Primary School and Dial Park Primary School, all close to the Stockport site.
BASF’s Agricultural Solutions team helps renovate an outdoor space at Dial Park Primary School, Stockport
Over the last few years, the team has worked with the schools to deliver an annual STEM week of interactive sessions that give the children an insight into the different aspects of the world of science, ranging from worm-charming to investigate soil health to activities exploring automotive coatings colours. The ambassadors have also set up a gardening club, launched book competitions, and held annual career events for the young learners to ensure a continued connection throughout the year. Relationships were enhanced last summer when representatives from BASF’s Agricultural Solutions team joined ambassadors to refurbish an outdoor play and education space for one of the partner schools.
In developing our approach to societal engagement with a focus on STEM, we are mindful that our interactions need to be meaningful and generate an impact.
An additional demonstration of working with the local community is BASF's ScienceXperience, an on-site educational initiative designed to engage young learners with STEM subjects through hands-on learning experiences. Developed in collaboration with Professor Leigh Hoath from Leeds Trinity University, BASF’s ScienceXperience provides a flexible model for science education. Each programme is tailored to local contexts, incorporating practical experiments linked to BASF sites’ manufacturing processes; for example, students at the Littlehampton site explore nematodes and their lifecycle while engaging with yeast through microscopy. The ScienceXperience activities are designed to explore scientific investigation skills and methods, and the initiative supports teachers and students with ideas for pre- and post-work.
Interactive activities with STEM learning at their heart
Crucially, the sessions are aligned with the national curriculum, and exercises emphasise reflection and assessment, allowing students to articulate their learning experiences. A typical ScienceXperience session lasts half a day, beginning with an introductory interactive discussion, followed by hands-on experiments. BASF employees run the programme, sharing their passion for science with the young learners. The first ScienceXperience opened at the Alfreton site in February 2019, and the programme has expanded to three additional sites.
Overall, ScienceXperience not only enhances STEM education but also inspires students and fosters a greater understanding of chemistry in everyday life. It has proved a valuable addition to our STEM outreach activities.
These are just two examples of how we are striving to spark an interest in science in our local communities.
BASF advocates for the promotion of STEM skills in the younger generation as a means to ensure a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. By investing in education, fostering collaboration, and engaging with communities, BASF aims to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists.
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