In an interdisciplinary initiative to promote food and digital education in preparation for the post-pandemic era, National Chi Nan University (NCNU) and partners organized a series of online forums centered on STEAM — science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics — for junior high and high school students from all across Taiwan.

The university-led STEAM summer camp was unveiled on July 8 by NCNU's Dean of Academic Affairs Yang Chou-sung (楊洲松) and Dean of General Affairs Chen Chi-tung (陳啟東), Council of Agriculture delegate Chen Jian-ying (陳建穎), Director Lin Ju-ping (林如萍) of National Taiwan Normal University's Family Research and Development Center, Nantou County Farmers' Association delegate Huang Syuan-ren (黃炫仁), Puli Farmers' Association Executive Secretary Chiang Lin-yao (江林瑤), and Principal Chang Cheng-yen (張正彥) of the Affiliated Senior High School of NCNU.

The inaugural day was dedicated to post-pandemic paradigms — for education, living, health, and water resources. Through craft workshops led by professor Yang Chih-hui (楊智惠) of I-Shou University's Department of Biological Science & Technology and teacher Peng Hsien-i (彭賢義) from National Caotun Commercial & Industrial Vocational Senior High School, student teams completed their projects using the parcel of craft materials pre-delivered to each member. The cooperative results were beyond expected, even under the restrictive circumstances.

Other courses included those on world news and logistics, respectively led by Principal Tsao Hsueh-jen (曹學仁) of National Taitung Senior Commercial Vocational High School and instructor Chiang Kun-Lin (蔣昆霖) of Kaohsiung Municipal Keliao Junior High School.

Cinnamon plantation farmer Chang Wei-jan (張威然) presented aromachology, or the study of scents; pesticides-free produce grower Hung Chien-chi (洪建智) talked about life on the farm; noodles-maker Chen Guo-ming (陳國明) described the philosophy behind his handmade udon; and NCNU Dean of General Affairs Chen introduced an online food summit.

Using technology, the summer camp brought students from all across Taiwan to experience the natural and cultural bounties of Puli. The STEAM courses promoting science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics not only brought food education and agricultural knowledge to more students, but also helped more people intimately experience the beauty of Puli, an idyllic township nestled in the heart of central Taiwan.

The camp was organized as part of the Higher Education Sprout Project, a Ministry of Education program devoted to bolstering the quality and sustainable management of Taiwan's higher-education institutions. The project framework for strengthening NCNU's current humanistic approach and social practices, expanding international academic exchanges, and implementing the practical principles of "operational efficiency and experience sharing" is described here.

Created Date

Thu, 07/22/2021 - 15:54

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SDGs Category：

4.Quality Education