In order to implement general science education, shorten urban-rural gaps, and support the poor minority, the “Edison Science Classroom” team of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has worked deep into the local primary schools to conduct general science education, with science courses designed to match local folk customs. Recently, the team went to Jiangong Elementary School in Cigu District, Tainan City, for a three-day science education course. The course content was quite diverse, teaching students to understand energy-related knowledge, solar energy application and production, wind energy formation, etc. By doing science activities, students could have a deeper understanding and experience and enhance their interpersonal interaction, team honor, and sportsmanship, as the activities adopt mixed age groups teaching and group competitions.
【The scene class in the Edison Science Classroom】
This year the "Edison Science Classroom" team has entered its seventh year. The team was initiated by Prof. Deng-Maw Lu, President of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, directed by Prof. Sheng-Zhen Wang, Chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and led by Prof. Kai-Zheng Lin and Prof. You-Zhu Li. For many years, the team has implemented the ideal of scientific popularization for scientific education to take root and for school children to have a better education. Prof. Kai-Zheng Lin spared neither expense nor effort only to offer the students a deeper understanding and better experience.
【Edison Science Classroom with science education program to teach primary school students how to produce wind-propelled cars】
The team has carried out such activities as “Edisons Go,” “Education Priority Zone,” and “Edison Community Sprout Program.” Over the past years, it has offered its service to many schools, such as Pingshan Elementary School (winning the 2014 Exhibition Champion in Earth Science Group) and Nanhua Elementary School, with over one thousand students participating in its activities. The teaching and training group has rich experience; with tempering of the time, the team has made its team service and teaching plan more professional and perfect. The main members of the team are composed of students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, while it also actively cooperates with other institutes, such as the Department of Child Care, the Department of Electronic Engineering, etc. The team has not only combined the characteristics and expertise of all those departments but also made the teaching more diversified and perfect. Starting from the students' psychology and their needs, the team always keeps its pace with the trends of technology and current events, so that the participating students can get in touch with and understand a great variety of applications and scientific principles.
【The Edison Science Classroom team was explaining and making students observe solar phenomena.】
President Lu said that the implementation of university social education is the responsibility of every teacher and student of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. It is the unshakable responsibility of educators to take care of the children in rural areas as well as the promotion of science education. By integrating the resources of the Ministry of Science and Technology Science and those of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, the team could carry out scientific expedition camps during the winter vacation, not only to implement science education but also to increase the students’ understanding of new technologies. Through open-ended guidance without any restrictions, the team made it possible it carry out the program in a creative way that enabled every student to understand the process of scientific operation through phenomena observation, hands-on practice, exchange of competition, making all the students become a creative little Edison.
【"Edison Science Classroom—Science DIY" allowed students to concentrate on mutual assistance and cooperation, fully demonstrating the spirit of learning.】
【Prof. You-Zhu Li of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, was discussing with students in a test of static electricity generation.】
【The "Edison Science Classroom" team of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and the students of Jiangong Elementary School at the opening ceremony】