BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, is proud to bring its global BASF Kids’ Lab programme aboard the Science Express, a unique high-end science exhibition fitted on a train, to Mumbai from 4th to 8th April 2008.

The BASF Kids’ Lab has captured the imagination of over 5,000 Kids’ in Mumbai earlier. This time it will be hosted inside the BASF coach (coach no 13) on Science Express- a pristine white train at the Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station for students of 7th to 10th standards.

The programme will bring alive the “Fascinating World of Chemistry” for students that have registered in advance. The participants will be awarded a certificate of participation. The entry and registration to the programme is free. In order to participate in Kids’ Lab, interested youngster can register, individually or through their schools by calling Mr. Anand Marathe on 9833446793 or anand.marathe@basf.com.

BASF Kids’ Lab will give the students a first-hand experience of the importance of chemistry in our daily lives under the supervision of competent professionals from BASF and Science communicators from the Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), Ahemdabad. The VASCSC has been entrusted with the responsibility of operation and management of the train throughout the country.

Mr. R. Y Vaidya, Chief Executive Manufacturing, BASF India said, “Our global programme BASF Kids’ Lab is not new to Mumbai. BASF Kids’ Lab has already captured the minds of over 5,000 kids in Mumbai and is back by demand, this time around in a truly innovative way.”

The inaugural function of the Science Express will be held on April 4th at the railway auditorium. The Science Express is set to be inaugurated by Prof. Dr.M.Barma, Director - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Mumbai and Smt.Sowmya Raghavan, General Manager - Central Railways. 11:00 am in the presence of Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman BASF group in India & Head South Asia, and other eminent personalities.

The 16 coach Science Express painted in sparkling white BASF specialty coating will travel around the country to cover 57 cities. The exhibition is a joint initiative between the Department of Science and Technology- Government of India, Government of Germany, Max Planck Society, (a renowned Non profit research organization in Germany), and BASF-The Chemical company. With more than 300 large-format visual images, over 150 video clips and multimedia exhibits, the exhibition deals extensively with cutting-edge research in science and technology. It attempts to develop scientific temper among these students and encourages them to pursue their interest in science. Besides, it strives to take modern research out of the lab and reveal just how relevant science is to everyday life.

The exhibition will be open from 4th April to 8th April from 10:00 am to 4.00 pm.

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India beckoned BASF way back in 1943. The company has been partnering India’s progress with its vast knowledge in the field of chemistry and high quality products that cater to a wide range of industries. As a dependable partner to stakeholders, BASF offers innovative, hi-tech and safe solutions. BASF in India is engaged in the business of manufacturing & marketing of Styropor®, tanning agents, leather chemicals and auxiliaries, crop protection chemicals, textile chemicals, dispersions and specialty chemicals, plastics, automotive and coil coatings, construction chemicals, polystyrene and polyurethane systems. With a strong manufacturing and R&D base, the BASF Group in India is represented by more than 1,300 employees having multi-location production sites and an R&D centre, which is part of the BASF Global Technology Platform.

Painted in pristine white with BASF’s specialty coatings, Glasurit, the train has an exhibition area extending over approx. 1000 square meters through twelve coaches. Major scientific achievements in significant areas of natural and life sciences are presented here. In the Science Express visitors can see exhibits and videos featuring the smallest elements of our world to the largest structures in the Universe. More than 300 large-format images and over 150 video clips from current research projects from every area of modern science, many of which have never been seen before, offer fascinating insight into the hidden worlds of the micro and macrocosmos. 50 exhibits, many of them interactive, invite visitors to observe and discover what scientists explore. Accompanied by an audio guide, visitors can encounter the challenges faced by scientists today. One can learn more about the limits of space and time; explore mysterious worlds and tomorrow’s technologies – biotechnology, nanotechnology, neuro electronics and quantum computing. In addition, the DST and BASF coach will showcase Science & Technology in India and the Fascinating World of Chemistry. Comprehensive and future-oriented, the Science Express is a unique enhancement to any science museum or science center in India, and can easily complement permanent displays with new subjects and findings.