How does a free children’s Chemistry workshop by one of the world’s leading Chemical companies sound?

Back for its 13th year, BASF Kids’ Lab, run by one of the world’s leading chemical company is organizing its highly popular workshop here in Singapore again in November 2016 at the Ang Mo Kio Public Library. These workshops are customised for children ages 6 to 12 and guided by qualified staff to raise awareness and ignite children’s interest in Science!

Details of BASF Kids’ Lab 2016:
Dates of workshops: Nov. 15-20, 2016
Timing: 10:15am; 11:45am; 2:15pm; 3:45pm (Each session lasts 1 hour 15 mins. and admits 40 children only).
Venue: Ang Mo Kio Public Library
Registration Fees: Free! Really!
How to register: Beginning tomorrow 17 October 2016 by logging into www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary

What does the workshop include?
Guided by specially trained staff, children will learn about skills used in scientific experiments like observation, notation to come up with their conclusion of these two experiments:

1. UV Investigation: Children will create their own sun screen using different chemicals and observe how it can protect us from UV rays.
2. Where is Vitamin C: Children will learn how to use friendly chemicals to investigate which food contains more (or none) Vitamin C.

Why should I sign up for it?
Cognitively, children begin to develop the ability to understand and appreciate concepts closer to adolescent age. Hence, in order to grasp these concepts of Science early in life, in particular, chemistry where its concepts are quite abstract to young kids, the best way is to let them observe the results through fun hands-on experiments. BASF aims to provide opportunities for kids to experiment in a playful manner and learn why and how the world’s marvels work.  At the BASF Kids Lab, Chemistry comes alive through age-appropriate science experiments, facilitated by the team of enthusiastic BASF staff.

How was the experience?
At today’s media preview held at the Playeum at Gillman Barracks, we were impressed to see that:

1. Scientific concepts were made simple for the children to apply and understand.
2. Safety was a priority and emphasized every step of the way.
3. The tasks were not too difficult and yet not overly simple. The experiments have enough rigour to enthuse the children while easy (and safe) enough to be conducted under the guidance of the facilitators.
4. All the children (ranging from age 6 to 12) were totally engaged and engrossed in the experiments despite having very little knowledge of Chemistry prior to the workshop.
5. Children learn to work in teams to investigate the outcomes of the experiments.
6. The staff were very patient, knowledgeable and helpful.
7. The staff did not rush to provide answers but allowed the children time to discover the outcomes for themselves.
8. The workshop was paced well, allowing children to pen down the concepts learnt in a specially designed notebook.
9. Actual science apparatuses were used along with real (and harmless) chemicals. These make the experience so much more authentic.
10. The workshop taught the kids essential Scientific skills like observation, notation and questioning to derive their conclusions. They were even taught to carefully clean up their work areas after each experiment. Now, what a wonderful introduction to the world of Science and research!

Thank you BASF for inspiring our daughter (and so many other kids from over 30 countries where the Kids Labs are run) to be Scientists when they grow up!

For more details of BASF Kids’ Lab 2016, please go to this very cool and interactive website: http://basf-asia-en.kids-interactive.de