Getting creative with science in rural Taiwan
Posted on February 9, 2017
.jpg)
Students show off their construction skills by making kites out
of newspapers during classes supported by the science educa-
tion program.
of newspapers during classes supported by the science educa-
tion program.
.jpg)
By Pauline Leung, a member of theRotary Club of Taipei Pei An, Taiwan, and past gov-
ernor of District 3520
On a rainy day in spring four years ago, I was talk-
ing to a few young teachers about the education
system in Taiwan. The country was on the verge
of extending free education to children through
the age of 12, which I thought was a good policy
to reduce illiteracy.
ing to a few young teachers about the education
system in Taiwan. The country was on the verge
of extending free education to children through
the age of 12, which I thought was a good policy
to reduce illiteracy.
However, the teachers had concerns about the
impact of the policy on schools in remote areas
of Taiwan that have less resources and thereby
have a harder time staying competitive. They
explained to me that the children in these schools
don’t get the extra curriculum trainings necessary
to have opportunities to attend college or university.
impact of the policy on schools in remote areas
of Taiwan that have less resources and thereby
have a harder time staying competitive. They
explained to me that the children in these schools
don’t get the extra curriculum trainings necessary
to have opportunities to attend college or university.
In January 2014, a report titled “Child Welfare Lea-
gue Foundation” noted a considerable gap between
urban and rural areas. The lack of resources in re-
mote areas led to poorer performance by children,
many of who were aborigines. Since these children
could never catch up, roughly a quarter of them con-
sider dropping out of elementary school. Improving
basic education seemed to be extremely crucial in
helping eliminate poverty in these areas.
gue Foundation” noted a considerable gap between
urban and rural areas. The lack of resources in re-
mote areas led to poorer performance by children,
many of who were aborigines. Since these children
could never catch up, roughly a quarter of them con-
sider dropping out of elementary school. Improving
basic education seemed to be extremely crucial in
helping eliminate poverty in these areas.
We started to discuss what we as Rotarians could do
to help. Our team of professional educators decided
we should improve their understanding of basic science,
their weakest area, and make it more interesting for
them. It was important to do this during their elementary
school years, so that they could continue on to senior
school and pursue university studies.
to help. Our team of professional educators decided
we should improve their understanding of basic science,
their weakest area, and make it more interesting for
them. It was important to do this during their elementary
school years, so that they could continue on to senior
school and pursue university studies.
In our research, we learned that the National Science
Council of Taiwan was cooperating with the Zhong Hwa
Institute of Creative Education, to use creative tools for
science training which not only increased the learner’s
creativity, but also made science lessons more interest-
ing and practical. This was exactly what we needed.
Council of Taiwan was cooperating with the Zhong Hwa
Institute of Creative Education, to use creative tools for
science training which not only increased the learner’s
creativity, but also made science lessons more interest-
ing and practical. This was exactly what we needed.
To make our project sustainable, we will provide teachers
specialized in this creative science approach not only to
teach fourth through sixth graders, but also train the local
teachers in order that they can carry on the training for
future classes.
specialized in this creative science approach not only to
teach fourth through sixth graders, but also train the local
teachers in order that they can carry on the training for
future classes.
The Rotary Club of Taipei Pei An applied for a global
grant in 2013. A few other Rotary clubs also joined as
well as a district in Korea.
grant in 2013. A few other Rotary clubs also joined as
well as a district in Korea.
The big smiles on the children’s faces the first time we
watched them get excited about learning and use their
own hands to explore basic theories of science like simple
machines, levers, wheels, axles, gears, pulleys, and energy
confirmed that we were doing the right thing. We told our-
selves this was just the beginning.
watched them get excited about learning and use their
own hands to explore basic theories of science like simple
machines, levers, wheels, axles, gears, pulleys, and energy
confirmed that we were doing the right thing. We told our-
selves this was just the beginning.
In three years, we used Rotary Foundation funds to reach
20 schools. This year, we are entering into our fourth year
and reaching more schools. Thanks to District 3600 and
3700 who used their DDF to become our international part-
ner these past three years, we have been able to carry on a
great service program, and believe we will be able to help
more remote schools and children into the future.
20 schools. This year, we are entering into our fourth year
and reaching more schools. Thanks to District 3600 and
3700 who used their DDF to become our international part-
ner these past three years, we have been able to carry on a
great service program, and believe we will be able to help
more remote schools and children into the future.
We are convinced that our contributions to The Rotary Found-
ation are certainly doing good in the world and serving future
generation.
ation are certainly doing good in the world and serving future
generation.
Learn how Rotary is supporting education
Please note that our website address
has been updated to:
www.northjacksonrotary.org
has been updated to:
www.northjacksonrotary.org
.JPG)
