Hsinchu, Taiwan – “Science Festival,” a great public engagement opportunity, took place at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) and the National Space Organization (NSPO) on July 29, 2017. Director Li-Fang Lee of the Institute of Cultural Heritage Research Preservation and other honored guests were invited to open the event.
Jointly hosted by Director Shangjr Gwo of NSRRC, Director Guey-Shin Chang of NSPO, and Deputy Director General Andrea T. J. Hsu of Hsinchu Science Park Bureau, “Science Festival” attracted almost 800 adults and children. The purpose of this outreach event was to encourage interest in science amongst the young, to lay the foundation for science learning, and to inspire our future scientists.
Six “Science Classrooms” were organized, in which enthralling presentations through story-telling were delivered by Director General Wei-Hsin Sun of National Museum of Natural Science, Prof. Piero Baglioni of University of Florence, Dr. Tung-Ho Chen of National Palace museum, Dr. Chun-Chieh Hsiao of NSPO, and Drs. Yu-Jong Wu and Yao-Chang Lee of NSRRC.
The “Science Classrooms” covered two themes: “A Space Odyssey” and “Arts, Culture, and Paleontology.” The audience was fascinated with educational talks on how hi-tech novel materials were used to restore ancient artifacts, how synchrotron light identified collagen within the oldest dinosaur embryo fossil, and how the secrets held by antiquities were revealed by light technology. In parallel, informative presentations about stargazing, the Taiwanese-made satellites, and creating Pluto in a lab were given under the space theme.
All attendees had an exclusive open house experience at the NSRRC and NSPO. Youngsters were given the chance to take a close look at the Taiwan Photon Source (TPS), learning how the brightest light on earth is produced and how TPS facilitates scientific research and product development for human well-being. In addition, they saw the artificial satellites manufactured by the NSPO scientists, and walked through the galaxy corridor, imagining themselves as astronauts. While educational, a series of science activities surely brought everyone a fun day.