BASF Corporation awarded 20 New Jersey public schools $5,000 each to support science education programs in 16 of the 21 counties in the state. The 2017 Science Education Grants will enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related initiatives for students in grades K-12.

“BASF is committed to fostering science literacy,” said Robin Rotenberg, VP and chief communications officer for North America at BASF Corporation. “Our goal is to help develop and engage students at an early age so they can be the STEM thinkers, innovators and leaders of the future. With these grants, we are helping students experience science in fun and creative new ways by engaging their imaginations. BASF hopes this will inspire students to view science as a long-term field of study and possible career path.”

Each year BASF invites all New Jersey public schools to submit a proposal summarizing their specific science education needs and how a grant would help students explore STEM. This year, the company received 101 proposals from 20 counties.

Past recipients have used their grants to advance learning about the environment, robotics and technology. For example, Alexander Batcho Intermediate School in Somerset County studied sustainable living by installing a honeybee hive on school property, bottling and selling their own honey and donating the profits to local charities. Mountain Lakes High School in Morris County created an aeroponic and solar powered system to become better “global citizens” by developing better ways to bring a continuous food supply to marginalized communities.