GONZALES —   More than 30 area high school students recently met at River Parishes Community College for a week of experience and learning called BASF TECH Academy.

The students, guided by BASF staff and RPCC faculty, ran their own science experiments and visited several area agencies and industries in which high technical is the main tool. They heared from industry leaders on high-tech careers in the area.

Sponsored with a generous gift from BASF, this is BASF TECH Academy’s second summer, and enrollment has swelled.

“Through our partnership with River Parishes Community College, BASF TECH Academy is introducing local high school students to industries in our community that rely on science and technology in their daily operations,” said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BASF’s site in Geismar.

“Filled with fun and engaging field trips and hands-on activities, the program sponsored by BASF helps students make the connection between their coursework in high school and how they can begin preparing now for future well-paying careers.”

Leaders in area industry have said for years that a high school education is no longer sufficient for many of the high-skill, high tech jobs in the petro-chemical field.

Many are requiring intensive post-high school technical training and often a two-year college degree.

RPCC is proactive in addressing that need through a variety of technical courses, many of which lead to an associate’s degree and industry-required certification.

Students in the BASF TECH Academy will see first-hand, for example, the skills needed for a career in Process Technology.

“Consider this an outreach by our college to high school students as a way to open their eyes to the fascinating technical careers available,” said Dale Doty, RPCC chancellor, “and to make sure their eyes are wide-open to the education and training these careers require.”

Personnel from BASF’s Geismar facility work hand-in-hand with RPCC staff to manage the Academy and enhance the experience.

Students will visit several area tech businesses and organizations, including BASF, as part of the Academy.

River Parishes Community College focuses on building the workforce of today and tomorrow through specific skill training and providing transferable courses and curricula leading to certification and associate degrees.

RPCC works closely with its communities to provide programs for personal, professional and academic growth.