Chemgeneration.com starts in Hungary

Commemorating the achievements of one of the most important science fields of human kind, the UN decided to declare 2011 the International Year of Chemistry, abbreviated 'IYC2011'. To mark ICY, the Association of Hungarian Chemists (MKE) and a number of companies, led by BASF, have jointly developed a unique online chemistry knowledge base for the young generation of internet users.

“Understanding that availability of well-trained and knowledgeable young experts has been, is and shall remain a major challenge, we have developed a modern Web 2.0 site targeting young Internet users with features and tools of the 21st century,” said József Pálinkás, Chairman of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences at yesterday’s press conference, held at the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport. “This, we believe, is a great asset in promoting chemistry among young people. Offering scientific and educational materials and targeting online communities and young people is highly important because chemistry will not be able to sustain the current pace of growth and development on its own. The necessary change of approach can only be delivered by experts and scientists of the future, who see chemistry as an opportunity and solution rather than a boring school subject,” he added.

Packed with eye-catching visual elements in an entertaining style, Chemgeneration.com presents history of chemistry, its greatest achievements and influence on the mankind`s prosperity. Its core content is based on a section called “Milestones of technology from a chemist’s perspective”, which presents the development and key role of chemistry through the history of major industries in recent centuries. The virtual chemistry class at Chemgeneration.com answers many interesting questions such as how the greasy black gold is transformed into fuel, how a tiny mould fungus can save lives, or what exactly is going on in a nanotube. Visitors can learn more about the life of Marie Sklodowska-Curie, winner of the Chemistry Nobel Prize hundred years ago or the achievements of Szent-Györgyi Albert. The 3D molecule viewer application allows us to take a closer look at the elements that build and form our world.

Developed by Hungarian scientists, the new website Chemgeneration.com shall be launched in 10 countries and available in 11 languages in the next few months. Creators of the website hope that an active online community is going to form around Chemgeneration.com and students and teachers will discuss and share all chemistry-related problems and issues (e.g. images, texts, videos, animations) here. Like with any other web 2.0 application, the content of the website will be developed from now on by the founders and chemistry loving visitors alike.

“BASF is committed to ensure that young generation knows, understand and like chemistry. Young people shall be aware that chemistry is present everywhere in our life. Chemistry is everything: our past, our present and, most importantly, our future. It is a great pleasure for me that with the Chemgeneration.com project we can effectively support chemistry education in Hungary and Central-Eastern Europe,” said Dr. Herbert Fisch, Managing Director of BASF Hungária Kft.

Founding members of the initiative include Richter, TEVA Gyógyszergyár, MOL, Tisza Chemical Group Public Ltd and Sanofi-Aventis Chinoin, the Faculty of Physics, Chemistry and Matter Sciences of the Szeged University of Sciences.