Tainan "National Science Day" Kicks Off Today - NCKU Science Education Center Invites Everyone to Enjoy Science Together
Since 2015, the NCKU Science Education Center has been organizing the Tainan City National Science Week, intending to spread scientific knowledge more broadly and deeply among Tainan's students. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event. The "2024 Tainan City National Science Day" has received strong support from the Tainan City Government and the National Science Council. The opening ceremony will feature a performance by the Sinsing Junior High School harmonica team. NCKU Science Education Center has invited Sinsing Junior High School students and teachers to experience four major themes: "Tensegrity," "Polarizers," "Piezoelectric Effect," and "Ultraviolet Light," allowing participants to witness the wonder and joy of hands-on science, showcasing a decade of achievements in promoting science.
During his speech, NCKU Vice President Yuh-Neu Chen mentioned that the NCKU Science Education Center has been hosting the "Tainan National Science Week" since 2015. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the center has consistently and diligently promoted the event, which is commendable. The dedication of the Science Education Center team is evident, with various activities such as National Science Week, Science Days, and the Science Train. There are also related science promotion activities during the university's anniversary in November, and interested individuals are welcome to participate in these events at the Science Education Center.
Vice President Yuh-Neu Chen stated that this year's event covers the entire Tainan City, with 25 schools participating in this scientific feast. On April 16, the teachers and students from these schools attended a "Seed Teacher and Student Training Camp" organized by the NCKU Science Education Center, bringing back related teaching aids to share with their classmates. Starting in late May, these trained teachers and students began promoting the activities in their respective schools. The teaching aid boxes include complete experimental materials and beautifully crafted experiment booklets, making it easier for students to perform the experiments and learn.
"No matter the discipline, cross-disciplinary learning is essential. Excelling in both the humanities and sciences is more than just a slogan," Vice President Yuh-Neu Chen encouraged students to play with science, hoping that both teachers and students will gain a lot from this event, igniting their passion and pursuit of science and nurturing more future scientists and innovators.
Lin Ku-Ta, Senior Executive Officer of the Tainan City Government Education Bureau, stated that since its promotion, there have been 60 themed science activities with substantial achievements. Reflecting on his school days, Lin recalled reading about "how transistors are designed as amplifiers" in textbooks. Even though it was just a few simple sentences, it sparked his competitive spirit and led him to pursue science. He encouraged students that the quest for knowledge has many possibilities and that they should never limit themselves.
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough," Lin Ku-Ta quoted Einstein, encouraging the teachers present. Many people wonder why, despite having science courses in schools, there is a need for additional science promotion activities. In reality, science is lively and vibrant. Besides the well-organized scientific knowledge in textbooks, it is hoped that students will find the joy of science through related activities. Compared to vertical thinking in academics, popular science can offer students cross-disciplinary thinking, satisfying their curiosity.
Yi Yang, Director of the NCKU Science Education Center, stated that this year's event is different from previous ones. The NCKU Science Education Center has carefully selected four from the 60 teaching plans developed in the past, including "Tensegrity," "Polarizers," "Piezoelectric Effect," and "Ultraviolet Light," and has released newly recorded instructional videos. These videos combine real-life examples with clear experimental steps and extended discussions to help students learn more easily.
Yi Yang also mentioned that besides the instructional videos, the NCKU Science Education Center has revised four previous teaching plans, rewriting them into content that is easy for junior high school students to read. These plans, complemented by exquisite illustrations, are compiled into richly illustrated booklets called "Experiment Booklets." These materials encourage students to continue conducting science experiments at home, deepening their understanding and application of scientific knowledge. The center appreciates the funding support from the National Science Council and the Tainan City Government, allowing it to promote these fun scientific activities to more students. In the future, the center will continue its efforts to popularize science, benefiting more students.
Additionally, as part of the National Science Council's support for the "Tainan City National Science Day" popular science project, there will be another new attempt. The NCKU Science Education Center will hold an exciting science carnival on July 6 (Saturday), including science competitions and a science fair. The science competition is divided into "Basic Teaching Plan Group" and "Advanced Science Puzzle Group," encouraging students to showcase their knowledge and skills, exercise team creativity, and integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge. High school teachers and university professors will be invited as judges. During the competition, the NCKU Science Education Center will also set up multiple science experience booths, inviting everyone to explore the fun of science.
The "2024 Tainan City National Science Day" kicks off on June 3 at Sinsing Junior High School in the South District. This year, 25 schools have collaborated to organize this scientific feast. The event features four hands-on experience zones, jointly planned by the NCKU College of Science Education Center and the teachers and students of Sinsing Junior High School. These zones will use practical activities to explain the scientific principles behind everyday problems, aiming to bring more students closer to popular science.
Since 2015, the NCKU College of Science Education Center has been tirelessly promoting science through the "Tainan National Science Week" activities. During the opening speech of the "2024 Tainan National Science Day," NCKU Vice President Yuh-Neu Chen encouraged everyone to engage in cross-disciplinary learning and enjoy science together.
For "2024 Tainan City National Science Day," new instructional videos have been recorded this year. These videos combine real-life examples and explain the experimental processes in a simple and clear manner.