BASF recently hosted students from the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Junior Researchers Program along with other students in the community for hands-on learning experiences in the labs at the BASF site in Wyandotte. 

The students explored BASF’s urethanes and composite materials to learn about how they are used in footwear, automotive and sports equipment applications, and participated in conversations with BASF researchers, scientists, and technicians.

In 2022, BASF partnered with the SPE Foundation and Ecotek Lab in Detroit to collaborate on the SPE Junior Researcher Program, a competitive program that awards $500 research stipends to students in 8th through 12th grade. The students perform applied research or investigation into polymer science or plastics engineering at the lab.

“BASF is passionate about chemistry and science education. The opportunity to work with the SPE Foundation and set up the BASF Junior Researchers program was something that we could not pass up. These students have the passion to be future scientists and innovators, and we are excited to see what they do next,” said Susan Jackson, BASF Head of Communications, Performance Materials North America.