Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Sept/Oct 2015 | Page 17

Student explores chemistry, business at BASF Science Academy A Union County high school student took a peek into his possible future earlier this month while attending a summer science program in Madison, New Jersey. Nicholas Mitchell of Marvin Ridge High School joined students from across the United States, Canada and Central America for a preview of college and the business of chemistry during the fifth annual BASF Science Academy. The two-week summer program, developed by BASF Corporation, was held at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). Merritt Sink, site manager for BASF in Charlotte, said the science academy attempts to develop the technology-based workforce of the future by exposing students to practical business applications and potential careers in chemistry. “This is especially important to BASF since we are celebrating our 150th Anniversary this year,” Sink said. The science academy targets rising seniors who have demonstrated a record of academic excellence with at least one year of high school chemistry and a strong interest in pursuing a degree in science. “I have to physically do something with my hands to feel like I am helping others,” Mitchell said. “My favorite part of the science academy was taking water samples at Loantaka Brook and physically collecting the data. I would like to do field research in the future to try and solve environmental issues that we will face.” Working in teams, the students used BASF chemistry to formulate their own personal care products for which they developed a marketing plan and presented it to a panel of BASF executives and FDU academic leaders. Students graduate from the program with two transferable college science credits in an effort to encourage their pursuit of science education. In addition, FDU offers graduates a $5,000 scholarship if they choose to attend FDU in the fall of 2016. BASF covers the full cost of the program, including student tuition and travel while working with academy curriculum. As a graduate of the 2015 BASF Science Academy, Nicholas Mitchell of Marvin Ridge High School, explored the connections between business and advanced science at Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. the FDU staff to develop the science --Written by: Beth Earnst, Manager, Marketing Communications for Dispersions and Pigments, North America Register for the 2015-2016 school year lesson session Providence EQUESTRIAN CENTER PEC offers Lessons, Leasing, Showing, Camps, Boarding, and Birthday Parties Starts August 24, 2015 Home of Sales and Leasing, Training, Boarding, and Showing www.stonehavennc.com • Professional Staff • Convenient to Charlotte • Covered Arena • Climate Controlled Rooms • Serving the Charlotte area since 1998. www.ProvidenceEquestrian.com 424 Waxhaw-Indian Trail Rd., Waxhaw, NC 28173 • 704-843-5215 • [email protected] Parent Teacher Magazine • Sept/Oct 2015 • 15