BASF, the world's leading chemical company is giving Kalgoorlie primary school students from Year 4 - 6 the opportunity to be scientists for a day with the latest edition of the popular BASF Kids' Lab program.
Held over three days in partnership with Curtin University, about 180 students from eight local primary schools will be participating in a total of nine, two-hour interactive sessions at Curtin's Kalgoorlie Campus, which is also home to the world-renowned WA School of Mines.
"Our Kids' Lab program was always intended as a brilliant way to spark curiosity in children at a young age. Through these carefully selected experiments, our hope is that they will discover their passion and perhaps consider pursuing an enjoyable and innovative career in a scientific discipline," said David Hawkins, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF Australia and New Zealand.
"With this year's iteration of BASF Kids' Lab, we are very happy to work with Curtin University to bring our program out of urban areas to more rural and underserved locales such as Kalgoorlie, where I personally believe that we will have a profound impact on participating students."
Curtin's Kalgoorlie Campus Director Sabina Shugg said the Kids' Lab program was being held in Kalgoorlie for the first time, offering an exciting chance for local students to have a hands-on experience of being a scientist for a day.
"It is incredibly important for children in regional and rural areas to have the same opportunities as their city counterparts to get a real taste for science," Ms Shugg said.
"The Kids' Lab program immerses primary students in science by allowing them to conduct fun and educational hands-on experiments in a safe environment.
"These experiences can spark in students an enduring fascination for science and lead to a career in one of many important fields of scientific endeavour.
"Inspiring future generations of scientists to tackle the many challenges facing the world has never been more important and we are thrilled to be joining forces with BASF to do this."
