NCKU Social Sciences Promotes Interdisciplinary Projects: High Schoolers Showcase 108 Curriculum Achievements-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The College of Social Sciences at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) held a learning achievement presentation for its college-level integrative course, Leadership and Action, on May 25. The event showcased the effective learning and innovative teaching outcomes achieved through collaborative efforts between NCKU students and local high schoolers under the “Big Hands Hold Little Hands” initiative. The college aspires to continue serving as a bridge between higher and secondary education, planting more seeds for future talent to grow strong and thrive under nurturing guidance.


Earlier this year, the NCKU College of Social Sciences launched its seventh collaboration project with high schools through an open call for proposals. Faculty and students visited Tzu Chi Senior High School and Tainan Municipal Yong-Ren Senior High School to hold briefing sessions. In February, a total of 25 submissions were received, and 15 projects were matched to form self-directed learning teams made up of both university and high school students. Over the past three months, under the guidance and support of university students, the high school participants became familiar with the structure of research projects and significantly improved their skills in literature review, data organization, and more. Teachers Yue-E Lin from Yong-Ren High School and Yu-Ru Lin from Tzu Chi High School offered enthusiastic support throughout the course, helping guide the students’ growth and development.


The achievement presentation was attended by key faculty members from the College of Social Sciences, including Dean Chun-Li Tsai, Associate Dean Jon-Fan Hu, Department of Economics Chair Chang-Ching Lin, Associate Professor Chih-Cheng Meng from the Department of Political Science, Associate Professor Wan-Ju Yeh from the Department of Law, and Associate Professor Yen-Lien Kuo from the Department of Economics. The 15 project teams consisted of 46 high school students from Tzu Chi Senior High School and Yong-Ren Senior High School, along with 33 NCKU students. The projects covered a wide range of timely and relevant topics, such as cognitive bias in AI, investment portfolio strategies, the rise of the KK Park development, violence in intimate relationships, and debates around capital punishment and abolition. Other projects focused on personal interests of the students, including analysis of preferences for Korean album merchandise, excessive packaging of idol photo cards, emotional self-awareness, and dream interpretation, showcasing a rich diversity of themes.


These projects demonstrate that since the implementation of the 2019 Curriculum Guidelines (108 Curriculum), students have developed the ability to systematically transform both their sensitivity to social issues and their personal interests into in-depth, small-scale research. Through this process, they have shown a proactive engagement with current events and societal concerns. At the same time, students' presentation and communication skills have noticeably improved year by year, reflecting the effectiveness of competency-based learning.


After evaluation, three students from Yong-Ren Senior High School—Hong-Cheng Liao, Ben-Hung Yang, and Chen-Hsuan Hung—won the award for their project Building a Stable Investment Portfolio, guided by university students Yi-Xuan Kao, Tzu-Ting Kuan, and Wei-Hua Chen. They tested two different stock selection strategies through a Monopoly simulation game and clearly explained to the attending professors, using logical reasoning and empirical data, how to identify the portfolio with the lowest risk at the same rate of return. Their work fully demonstrated the ability to apply high school knowledge to practical research.


Another winning team was composed of three students from Tzu Chi Senior High School: Cheng-Jui Hou, Rui-Ting Pan, and Yong-Hsin Wu. With the support of university students Si-Pei Li, Yi-Jou Huang, and Hao-Yu Yang, they focused on AI-related issues by examining common human cognitive biases. Their project explored whether ChatGPT and Google Gemini also mimic human biased decision-making during their learning processes. Titled “Artificial ‘Intelligence’? Imitating Humans? — Does AI Also Mimic Human Cognitive Biases in Its Learning Process?”, their work earned high praise from the judges.


Principal Chih-Hua Yao of Tzu Chi Senior High School expressed in his speech: “Over four years of collaboration with NCKU’s College of Social Sciences, it has been gratifying to see each cohort of high school students make progress and explore diverse topics in their projects. We are grateful to NCKU for providing this long-term opportunity and hope that students will turn this valuable experience into motivation for their future efforts.”


Xiang-Nian Chen, Director of Academic Affairs at Yong-Ren Senior High School, also remarked in his speech: “Congratulations to all the students for successfully completing this challenging learning journey. We sincerely thank the NCKU College of Social Sciences team for their thoughtful planning. In this rapidly changing society, learning comes not only from textbooks but also from caring about and reflecting on social issues. We hope everyone continues to maintain curiosity and courageously explore and think critically.”


The College of Social Sciences stated that the achievement presentation not only showcased the leadership skills of university students but also provided high school students with scaffolded learning support under their guidance. By engaging with social issues of interest, students at different learning stages expanded their perspectives. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, they sparked creativity and diverse viewpoints, demonstrating the richness and depth of their learning experiences.