BASF Kids' Lab Inspires Two Thousand School Children in Bengaluru to Become Climate Champions

• BASF Kids' Lab, a global education program by BASF, was recently organized in collaboration with Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru
• The program, with special focus on climate change, saw 2000+ children from 27 municipal schools participating in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru, Karnataka - July 03, 2024: "I am Kavya and I want to tell you that I promise to do whatever it takes to stop or slow down global warming. It's already killing species of animals and endangering the planet," the 11-year-old Kavya B declared solemnly, as her thrilling day of interacting with climate models, infographs and other exhibits at BASF Kids' Lab came to an end. Kavya was not alone - more than two thousand children chimed in to become climate champions during the 10-day program, hosted by BASF in collaboration with Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bengaluru.

BASF Kids' Lab offers a hands-on lab experience for kids. It introduces children to the wonders of chemistry through a series of simple, safe, and engaging experiments. This unique and interactive chemistry education program is designed for children aged 6 to 12 years, with the aim of fostering an interest in science and inspiring them to be climate champions.

Having already made a significant impact in over 30 countries. worldwide, the program was first introduced in India in 2004 and has since reached over 50,000 school children across the country. This version of the program, however, is different. "In 2023, as a part of BASF India's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, we launched Kids' Lab with special focus on climate change. This version includes more information and elaborate models about changing global climate that children can interact with. We also specifically targeted children from underprivileged backgrounds," says Sunita Sule, Head, Country Development, who conceived and organized this CSR initiative, "We are pleasantly surprised by the phenomenal response from the children."

The program has been a resounding success, with more than six thousand children attending the Bengaluru event as well as two previous events held in Navi Mumbai in July 2023 and Mangalore in January 2024. "We believe that by instilling a passion for science and environmental stewardship at a young age, we can empower children to make a positive impact on our planet," says Alexander Gerding, Managing Director of BASF India Limited. "Since the launch of BASF Kids' Lab in 2004, the fact that we could reach and engage 50,000+ students and their teachers across India speaks clearly about the program's success and BASF's commitment to education, sustainability and the future generations," he adds.

The Bengaluru leg of BASF Kids' Lab, hosted at the venue of Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum was inaugurated on June 19, 2024, in presence of Smt B. B. Cauvery, Commissioner, Department of School Education, Karnataka, along with K. Sajoo Bhaskaran, Director, Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum, Achim Burkart, Consul General, German Consulate General Bengaluru and Ms. Sunita Sule.

Speaking about this novel tie-up of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, K. Sajoo Bhaskaran said, "We are thrilled to partner with BASF for BASF Kids' Lab on Climate change. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to develop hands-on tools that promote scientific literacy and environmental stewardship among the youth. The program aims to benefit government school students by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to understand and address climate change."

BASF Kids' Lab about climate change will be visiting more cities in India in the months to come.