BASF Virtual Lab helps Vietnamese students learn about nature

In total, 12 virtual experiments have now been offered to Vietnamese primary students.

Erick Contreras, managing director of BASF Vietnam, presenting a mock computer donation to the principal of Bui Huu Nghia Primary School

In partnership with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, BASF hosted a training workshop for teachers and students at Bui Huu Nghia Primary School in Binh Tan District to help familiarise them with fascinating experiments and learn what chemistry means in their daily lives.

The company also donated 20 computer sets, helping the teachers and more than 600 students gain access to computer science and technology.

The two newly launched experiments are “Green Wonder” and “The Soil Experiment”.

Through the “Green Wonder” experiment, children will learn about photosynthesis – the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen.

The school children will also learn about chlorophyll – the pigment that is responsible for the green colour of the leaves, without which, photosynthesis cannot work.

Overall, they will gain a better understanding of the important role of photosynthesis for people and our environment.

“The Soil Experiment” will help children learn about different types of soil, including sandy soil, clay, silty soil and humus, based on the composition of the particles and components that make it up. They will find out more about humus – an important component for storing water and nutrients in the soil that is beneficial for planting flowers, fruit, and vegetables.

According to Erick Contreras, managing director of BASF Vietnam, science plays an essential role in daily life and preparing the next generation of scientists is important for both society and BASF.

“These two new experiments will allow Vietnamese children to explore the amazing world of chemistry and natural sciences in an interactive and enjoyable way,” he added.

Schoolchildren exploring the science around them with the new online experiments under the instruction of BASF Vietnam volunteers

Since 2018, and with the strong collaboration and support of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, BASF has localised 12 online experiments to contribute to the country’s effort to offer STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) education to young people and prepare them for future success.

BASF Virtual Lab, an extension of BASF’s global hands-on chemistry education programme Kids’ Lab, provides a wide range of online interactive experiments.

Children can experience the joy of chemistry anytime and anywhere by playing the role of a researcher and conducting experiments in the virtual world of a laboratory. Each step of every experiment contains easy-to-understand explanations from the animated Kids’ Lab mascot Dr. Bubbles. New experiments are continuously added.

A dedicated Facebook page has been set up for participants and interested parties to share photos and comments: BASF Kids’ Lab Asia-Pacific Facebook.

The BASF Kids’ Lab programme is an interactive, fun, and free chemistry education programme designed for kids aged 6-12 years to discover the world of chemistry through simple and safe hands-on experiments.

The programme has been brought to more than 30 countries across the globe including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Singapore, India, and Japan. It was established in 1997 in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The programme was introduced in Vietnam in 2011 and has benefitted about 5,000 children.

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