BASF, CSIR-IICT Partner to Inspire Young Minds Through Chemistry

BASF, in collaboration with CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, hosted  the BASF Kids’ Lab in October 2026, engaging young students in hands-on chemistry learning and climate action awareness. CSIR-IICT, a premier research institution under CSIR, is partnering with BASF to deliver this interactive educational initiative. The Hyderabad edition is expected to engage 1,150 school children from municipal schools.

The BASF Kids’ Lab program is a unique and interactive chemistry education initiative designed for children aged 8 to 12 years. Through engaging experiments and activities, the program aims to spark curiosity in science while helping children understand the importance of sustainability, environmental protection, and climate action.

Developed by BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, the BASF Kids’ Lab program has been successfully implemented in more than 30 countries worldwide. Since its launch in India in 2004, the program has reached and inspired over 62,000 school children across the country.

As part of BASF India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the program was relaunched in 2023 with a focus on climate protection. Since then, the program has been successfully conducted in metro cities including Chennai, Navi Mumbai, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Delhi, and even reaching rural and tribal children in Nashik district. Through age-appropriate experiments and interactive learning modules, children explore concepts related to environmental sustainability and discover how small actions can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Kim Höffken, Managing Director, BASF Digital Solutions Pvt Ltd, said, “Children learn best when they can explore, experiment, and discover for themselves. Through BASF Kids’ Lab, we aim to create engaging learning experiences that spark curiosity, encourage young minds to ask questions, think critically, and better understand the role of science in addressing real-world challenges. By connecting chemistry with topics such as sustainability and climate action, we hope to inspire the next generation to become informed and responsible innovators. We are pleased to collaborate with CSIR-IICT in bringing this unique learning journey to students in Hyderabad.”

Dr D Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IICT, appreciated BASF’s Kids’ Lab initiative for inspiring young minds through hands-on chemistry learning and awareness of climate action. He emphasized that such initiatives offer invaluable learning experiences, particularly for students from Government schools, by nurturing scientific curiosity and environmental responsibility.

Highlighting the shared vision of CSIR’s Jigyasa program and BASF, he expressed happiness over the collaboration in promoting experiential science education among schoolchildren. He further noted that this partnership reflects a collective commitment to making science accessible, engaging, and meaningful for the next generation. He also extended his sincere appreciation to the Education Department, Government of Telangana, for its valuable support in identifying and facilitating the participation of Government schools in Hyderabad.

Gouthami, a student from Government High School, Peteri, shared her experience. “Today’s session was very enjoyable and educational. The water purification experiment was my favorite activity. The volunteers explained the concepts in a simple and friendly manner, making it easy for me to understand and participate. I learned many new things and would like to share this knowledge with my friends and family. I will try to incorporate today’s learning on contributions to climate action in my daily life. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers for giving me this wonderful learning opportunity.”

The BASF Kids’ Lab program reflects BASF’s commitment to advancing chemistry education and supporting communities through meaningful engagement initiatives. By combining scientific learning with sustainability awareness, the program seeks to empower children to become responsible citizens and future champions of climate action.

For more information: www.basf.com