SDG10
Taiwan Science Popularization Train Tainan Station – A Fun Science Day at NCKU for Kids and Adults Alike
The Taiwan Science Popularization Train toured the island from October 20 to 25, visiting 16 counties and cities and stopping at 27 stations over six days. On the third day, the train arrived at Tainan Station, where nearly 300 students from 10 schools participated in an exciting science journey. Local high school students creatively set up booths, transforming complex scientific knowledge into engaging and accessible content to spark early scientific curiosity and help bridge urban-rural educational gaps. After the Tainan stop, the train continued its tour to Kaohsiung.
Hosted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the “Taiwan Science Popularization Train” has been running since 2016. This year, the NSTC emphasized inclusivity and diversity in science. Science demonstrations were presented in Taiwanese Hokkien, indigenous languages, and sign language, allowing children to explore science and experience diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. From rural areas to cities, indigenous communities, and schools for the hearing-impaired, children participated in interactive teaching activities and discovered the joy of knowledge. A new stop in Taiwan’s southern coastal region expanded the program’s reach. About 20,000 students nationwide engaged in hands-on scientific activities as the train continued its tour to promote science across the island.
The Tainan stop was co-organized by the NCKU Science Education Center, in collaboration with National Tainan First Senior High School, National Tainan University Affiliated Senior High School, Tainan Private Tzu Chi Senior High School, National Nanke International Experimental High School, NCKU Core Facilities Center, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), and the NSTC Ethics Office. The event featured 20 science booths and one classroom at the Tainan Cultural and Creative Park next to Tainan Train Station, attracting nearly 500 students and teachers.
The train departed Tainan Station on October 22, heading to Kaohsiung. The opening ceremony was witnessed by Tsung-Yang Chen (陳宗暘), Director-General Secretary of the Tainan City Government’s Education Bureau; Chih-Chun Wei (魏智群), Section Chief of NSTC’s Division of Science Education and International Cooperation; Hsu-Cheng Hsu (徐旭政), Director of NCKU’s Science Education Center; Kuang-Yao Lo (羅光耀), Professor of NCKU’s Department of Physics; Wen-Chieh Wu (吳文傑), Tainan Station Master; and principals and teachers from local schools. The event aimed to spread enthusiasm for science across Taiwan and invite more people to explore the wonders of science.
Hsu-Cheng Hsu (徐旭政) said, “We hope everyone comes with curiosity and leaves with a wealth of scientific knowledge.” He noted that in previous years, the train’s next stop after Tainan was Fangliao, but this year it continued to Kaohsiung and then Taitung. He expressed gratitude to the students and local schools for organizing so many engaging science activities and hoped participants would enjoy a full and rewarding experience.
Chih-Chun Wei (魏智群) added, “The NSTC has always aimed to help children understand, explore, and fall in love with science. Over the years, collaborations have shown that science is not confined to classrooms or laboratories; it can be observed in everyday life—from the vast universe to the depths of the ocean. We hope this event inspires children to appreciate the wonders of science early and contribute to the future growth of Taiwan’s technological capabilities.”
At Tainan Station, the 20 science booths offered diverse experiences, including a semiconductor workshop for children, a cyanotype creative studio, experiments on the physics of curveballs, semiconductor demonstrations, non-Newtonian fluid experiments, hand-cranked flashlights, sound-producing gyroscope flywheels, interactive anti-corruption games, communicating tubes, junior biologist activities, telescope exploration, starry sky journeys, balloon rockets, innovative flying devices, and live robot operations. The activities transformed complex scientific concepts into accessible content, stimulating curiosity and encouraging hands-on learning among elementary school students.
In addition to the booths, the NCKU Science Education Center set up a cloud-making science classroom, allowing students to explore air pressure and condensation using simple tools, vividly demonstrating how clouds form. The hands-on activity amazed students while inspiring observation and reflection on natural phenomena.
A sophomore from National Nanke International Experimental High School, Hsieh (薛同學), shared that their robot, designed for the FRC competition theme “Ocean Conservation,” used two brushless motors to control the rotation of ping-pong balls, demonstrating motion and trajectory principles. Hsieh explained that teamwork was the most challenging part of the two-month project, which began during winter break. This was his second time participating in the Science Popularization Train, and he hoped to showcase more engaging scientific principles through the event.
Through the variety of booths and interactive experiments, the Tainan Station stop demonstrated creativity and vitality in science education, making science approachable and fun. The event also served as a prelude to NCKU’s anniversary celebration. The Science Education Center will host the “Science Expo on Science Avenue” on Saturday, November 8, featuring a science market and hands-on workshops. Event announcements are available on the NCKU Science Education Center Facebook page, inviting all to join and explore science at NCKU.
Hosted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the “Taiwan Science Popularization Train” has been running since 2016. This year, the NSTC emphasized inclusivity and diversity in science. Science demonstrations were presented in Taiwanese Hokkien, indigenous languages, and sign language, allowing children to explore science and experience diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. From rural areas to cities, indigenous communities, and schools for the hearing-impaired, children participated in interactive teaching activities and discovered the joy of knowledge. A new stop in Taiwan’s southern coastal region expanded the program’s reach. About 20,000 students nationwide engaged in hands-on scientific activities as the train continued its tour to promote science across the island.
The Tainan stop was co-organized by the NCKU Science Education Center, in collaboration with National Tainan First Senior High School, National Tainan University Affiliated Senior High School, Tainan Private Tzu Chi Senior High School, National Nanke International Experimental High School, NCKU Core Facilities Center, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), and the NSTC Ethics Office. The event featured 20 science booths and one classroom at the Tainan Cultural and Creative Park next to Tainan Train Station, attracting nearly 500 students and teachers.
The train departed Tainan Station on October 22, heading to Kaohsiung. The opening ceremony was witnessed by Tsung-Yang Chen (陳宗暘), Director-General Secretary of the Tainan City Government’s Education Bureau; Chih-Chun Wei (魏智群), Section Chief of NSTC’s Division of Science Education and International Cooperation; Hsu-Cheng Hsu (徐旭政), Director of NCKU’s Science Education Center; Kuang-Yao Lo (羅光耀), Professor of NCKU’s Department of Physics; Wen-Chieh Wu (吳文傑), Tainan Station Master; and principals and teachers from local schools. The event aimed to spread enthusiasm for science across Taiwan and invite more people to explore the wonders of science.
Hsu-Cheng Hsu (徐旭政) said, “We hope everyone comes with curiosity and leaves with a wealth of scientific knowledge.” He noted that in previous years, the train’s next stop after Tainan was Fangliao, but this year it continued to Kaohsiung and then Taitung. He expressed gratitude to the students and local schools for organizing so many engaging science activities and hoped participants would enjoy a full and rewarding experience.
Chih-Chun Wei (魏智群) added, “The NSTC has always aimed to help children understand, explore, and fall in love with science. Over the years, collaborations have shown that science is not confined to classrooms or laboratories; it can be observed in everyday life—from the vast universe to the depths of the ocean. We hope this event inspires children to appreciate the wonders of science early and contribute to the future growth of Taiwan’s technological capabilities.”
At Tainan Station, the 20 science booths offered diverse experiences, including a semiconductor workshop for children, a cyanotype creative studio, experiments on the physics of curveballs, semiconductor demonstrations, non-Newtonian fluid experiments, hand-cranked flashlights, sound-producing gyroscope flywheels, interactive anti-corruption games, communicating tubes, junior biologist activities, telescope exploration, starry sky journeys, balloon rockets, innovative flying devices, and live robot operations. The activities transformed complex scientific concepts into accessible content, stimulating curiosity and encouraging hands-on learning among elementary school students.
In addition to the booths, the NCKU Science Education Center set up a cloud-making science classroom, allowing students to explore air pressure and condensation using simple tools, vividly demonstrating how clouds form. The hands-on activity amazed students while inspiring observation and reflection on natural phenomena.
A sophomore from National Nanke International Experimental High School, Hsieh (薛同學), shared that their robot, designed for the FRC competition theme “Ocean Conservation,” used two brushless motors to control the rotation of ping-pong balls, demonstrating motion and trajectory principles. Hsieh explained that teamwork was the most challenging part of the two-month project, which began during winter break. This was his second time participating in the Science Popularization Train, and he hoped to showcase more engaging scientific principles through the event.
Through the variety of booths and interactive experiments, the Tainan Station stop demonstrated creativity and vitality in science education, making science approachable and fun. The event also served as a prelude to NCKU’s anniversary celebration. The Science Education Center will host the “Science Expo on Science Avenue” on Saturday, November 8, featuring a science market and hands-on workshops. Event announcements are available on the NCKU Science Education Center Facebook page, inviting all to join and explore science at NCKU.
The Taiwan Science Popularization Train toured the island from October 20 to 25, visiting 16 counties and cities and stopping at 27 stations, arriving at Tainan Station on October 22.
Hsu-Cheng Hsu (徐旭政), Director of NCKU’s Science Education Center, encouraged everyone to come with curiosity and leave with a wealth of scientific knowledge.
Chih-Chun Wei (魏智群), Section Chief of the NSTC’s Division of Science Education and International Cooperation, expressed hope that this event would allow children to experience the wonders of science from an early age.
The Taiwan Science Popularization Train featured 20 science booths and one science classroom on site, attracting nearly 500 students and teachers to actively participate.
National Nanke International Experimental High School showcased an automated robot designed for the “Marine Environmental Protection” theme of the FRC competition.
