Today's Kids Know More About Science Than You Think

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. and FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BASF Corporation, one of the world's leading chemical companies, partnered with Kids X-Press to present a new twist in science literacy for children – a fun-to-read magazine about science that is written by kids. Combining articles, poems, illustrations and games, this new 32-page multi-lingual publication presents the world of science from a kid's point of view with many interesting results.

One junior writer, Emily Soltys, relates that chemistry is called "the central science" because "it is part of our lives and the world around us." By understanding this science, according to Emily, "we learn more about the world, and in turn, ourselves." Learning about the world is a common theme throughout the premiere edition of this magazine as many contributors express their own creative ideas for solving the world's problems, such as delivering clean energy and protecting the environment.

"BASF recognizes the importance of immersing today's students in science education -- realizing that they will be the thinkers, innovators, and leaders of the future," said Robin Rotenberg, Vice President of Corporate Communications, BASF Corporation. "Through Kids X-Press we are encouraging them to use their imaginations to think about science in a creative and innovative way. We also hope they will view science as a subject they like to learn about and a possible path toward a rewarding career."

"At Kids X-Press, we've been empowering children for 10 years by providing a platform for them to share their ideas with others -- through words and pictures," said Nivia Viera, Founder and Publisher of Kids X-Press. "Teaming up with BASF around the critically important area of science literacy gives youngsters a new, creative way to approach science while boosting their self-expression."

"Anyone between the ages of 6 and 18 can submit material to Kids X-Press," said Viera. "We are already accepting submissions for our next science edition that will focus on the International Year of Chemistry and the importance of water as a major global resource. Information on how to submit work to Kids X-Press can be found on our website: www.kidsxpress.net."

The BASF edition of Kids X-Press is distributed to all BASF employees in North America, including Canada and Mexico. Copies are also made available to schools and libraries in the communities where the company has operations and where Kids X-Press magazine is typically available.

For a press photo, please click on the following link:

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/08-16-11_KidsXpress.jpg

Suggested Caption:

Ten year old Molly Clawson, the daughter of a BASF employee, wrote an article on what it is like to run a chemical company for Kids X-Press based on her interview with BASF Corporation's CEO Hans Engel. She is pictured with Kids X-Press founder and publisher Nivia Viera (left) and Donna Jakubowski, who manages the publication for BASF.

About Kids X-Press

Kids X-Press, currently celebrating its 10th year, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote literacy. Kids X-Press encourages children of all abilities and from all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds to express themselves through writing, art and photography. Kids X-Press magazine is a quarterly publication distributed primarily through libraries and afterschool programs to readers in the New York metropolitan region, Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark, New Orleans, and parts of California. Learn more at www.kidsxpress.net.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. 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 agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than euro 63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

BASF is a global sponsor of the International Year of Chemistry.

SOURCE BASF Corporation