FLORHAM PARK, NJ--(Marketwired - Jul 28, 2014) - Twenty soon-to-be high school seniors previewed college life and learned advanced chemistry during the BASF Science Academy, a two week summer science program sponsored by BASF Corporation at the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) College at Florham campus in Madison, New Jersey.
"The Science Academy aspires to develop the technology based workforce of the future by exposing students to practical business applications and potential careers in chemistry," said Robin Rotenberg, Vice President of Corporate Communications for BASF in North America.
"The partnership between business and academia is a successful model for helping students to understand the practical applications of what they are learning," said Amber Charlebois, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Fairleigh Dickinson University. "I am excited to be a part of the experiences and progress the students make during the intensive two week program."
The Science Academy targets students who will be high school seniors in the fall; who completed at least one year of high school chemistry and have a demonstrated record of academic excellence and a strong interest in the sciences.
Following the curriculum theme "From Molecules to Marketplace," students learn advanced level science from FDU professors and interact with BASF scientists and business leaders through lectures, hands-on lab experiments and field trips. In addition to basic scientific method, the students study polymerization, the chirality and analysis of chemical components, the properties of fragrances and colors, environmental science, product development, product marketing, and project management.
Working in teams, the students use BASF chemistry to formulate their own personal care products for which they developed business and marketing plans that they presented to a panel of BASF executives.
Students graduate from the program with two transferable college science credits to encourage their continuing pursuit of science education. In addition, FDU offered graduates $5,000 scholarships if they choose to attend FDU in the fall of 2015.
As an on-campus residential program, the Science Academy gives students a preview of college living. They use the university's classrooms, labs, dining hall, dorms and receive college-level instruction. BASF covers the full cost of the program, including student tuition and travel, and works with the FDU staff to develop the Science Academy course curriculum.
"I came into this program with the expectation of solely working with chemistry," said Matthew Ulinski, Science Academy participant from Florham Park, New Jersey. "I'm surprised to see how market-driven the process is and it is very interesting to learn how to bring molecules to the marketplace."
Haylee Begin-Dyck, Science Academy participant from Windsor, Ontario in Canada, shared her thoughts about the program. "The Science Academy classes are challenging, and I like the challenge. I find that I learn better in that kind of environment. I am fascinated with how chemistry and business work together to create new products. My favorite part of the program is working in the chemistry lab and actually creating my product, face wash, and testing it. The Science Academy has furthered my interest in pursuing a career in science," said Begin-Dyck.
Former graduates from the program -- which started in 2011 -- have gone on to pursue their science studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Cornell University, Princeton University, Rice University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Lamar University, University of Alabama, Virginia State University and Clemson University among others.
Six former Science Academy participants are working as student interns this summer at various BASF locations. Kevin Chao, Science Academy Class of 2011, at Florham Park; Raja Chennamraju, Science Academy Class of 2011, at Iselin, New Jersey; Matthew Bradshaw, Science Academy Class of 2012, at Suffolk, Virginia; Brian Gates, Science Academy Class of 2012, at Geismar, Louisiana; Gabriella Hummel, Science Academy Class of 2012, at Charlotte, North Carolina; and Katelyn McCoy, Science Academy Class of 2012, at Port Arthur, Texas.
Participants in the Science Academy Class of 2014 are listed below.
- Haylee Begin-Dyck, Catholic Central High School, Ontario, Canada
- Anastasia Britton, East Ascension High School, Louisiana
- Audrey Effenberger, High Technology High School, New Jersey
- Xuerui Fa, Pioneer High School, Michigan
- Kyle Fenske, West Morris Central High School, New Jersey
- Nathan Fox, Bob Jones High School, Alabama
- Nicole Haller, Bishop McNamara Catholic High School, Illinois
- Matthew Henderson, Seton Hall Preparatory School, New Jersey
- Ryan Hoffman, Dutchtown High School, Louisiana
- Grant Hummel, Fort Mill High School, South Carolina
- Cynthia Lin, Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities, Texas
- Christina Martinelli, Jefferson Township High School, New Jersey
- Eric McElhinny, Seneca Valley High School, Pennsylvania
- Rose Nixon, Whippany Park High School, New Jersey
- Patrick Oare, Chatham High School, New Jersey
- Yesenia Rosario, Dover High School, New Jersey
- Adam Supel, Elyria High School, Ohio
- Alexis Tijerina, Brazosport High School, Texas
- Matthew Ulinski, Florham Park, New Jersey
- Sydney Ward, Lakeland High School, Virginia
Like the BASF Science Academy on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ScienceAcademyatBASF
For press photos, please click on the following links: http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/07-28-14_Scien...yGroup.jpg
Suggested caption: Participants in the 2014 BASF Science Academy are pictured back row, from left, Matthew Henderson, Seton Hall Preparatory School, New Jersey; Matthew Ulinski, Boonton High School, New Jersey; Ryan Hoffman, Dutchtown High School, Louisiana; Kyle Fenske, West Morris Central High School, New Jersey; Xuerui Fa, Pioneer High School, Michigan; Eric McElhinny, Seneca Valley High School, Pennsylvania; Adam Supel, Elyria High School, Ohio; Patrick Oare, Chatham High School, New Jersey; middle row, from left, Grant Hummel, Fort Mill High School, North Carolina; Anastasia Britton, East Ascension High School, Louisiana; Alexis Tijerina, Brazosport High School, Texas; Cynthia Lin, Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities, Texas; Audrey Effenberger, High Technology High School, New Jersey; Nathan Fox, Bob Jones High School, Alabama; front row, from left, Christina Martinelli, Jefferson Township High School, New Jersey; Rose Nixon, Whippany Park High School, New Jersey; Nicole Haller, Bishop McNamara Catholic High School, Illinois; Haylee Begin-Dyck, Catholic Central High School, Canada; Yesenia Rosario, Dover High School, New Jersey; and Sydney Ward, Lakeland High School, Virginia.
http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/07-28-14_ScienceAcademy2.jpg
Suggested caption: During the 2014 Science Academy, students work in the lab to develop personal care products using BASF chemistry and formulations. From left are Michael Young, Community Relations and Science Education Coordinator, BASF; Grant Hummel, Anastasia Britton, Rose Nixon, and Adam Supel.
About Fairleigh Dickinson University
Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson is New Jersey's largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information, go to www.fdu.edu .
BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $19.3 billion in 2013. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us .
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about EUR 74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com .
Media Inquiries: Donna Jakubowski BASF Corporation Tel: 973-245-6260 E-mail: Email Contact Dina Schipper Fairleigh Dickinson University Tel. 201-692-7032 E-mail: Email Contact
