During the winter vacation, teachers and students of NPUST got together to put University Social Responsibility (USR) to practice through a project designed to optimize healthy agriculture and revitalize Makatao tribal culture. The project, which is hosted by NPUST Vice-President for Administration, Professor Wen-Ling Shih, has received sponsorship from the Ministry of Education (MOE) under the fourth phase of its University Social Responsibility Practice Program.
The USR activities over the winter break were held during a four-day “life camp” at Tai’an Elementary School just prior to the start of Chinese New Year. A set of highly enjoyable courses for elementary school students were arranged to teach them about grain crops, DNA, food culture, and the application of essential oils in daily life. The camp allowed the students to have fun while learning in the relaxed setting, and it was an opportunity for them continue to develop and keep their minds stimulated during their vacation time.
Professor Wen-Ling Shih, said that the project for “Cultural Resilience and the Sustainable Economic Development of a Healthy Makatao Agricultural Industry” is a continuation of the third phase of the MOE program. After two years of holding field trips and learning activities together with Tai’an Elementary School, the two schools have become good partners who depend on each other. Principal Kuang-Wen Lin of Tai’an Elementary School said that since the 2024 summer camp, students, parents and locals have all felt the professionalism of NPUST’s teachers and students and the attentive companionship that they provide to the students. Through different forms of creative teaching activities, the young learners have acquired knowledge and gained a sense of accomplishment. Not only has this made the winter vacation a relaxing time to put down their regular schoolwork, but also an opportunity to learn and grow.
The four-day life camp brought together rich and exciting subject matter for the students. The first learning activity, which covered “Quinoa Food Education”, was arranged by Professor Yun-Yang Chao of the Department of Plant Industry. Teaching the students about the cultivation features and nutritional components of Taiwan’s quinoa, Chao also focused on ways to reduce greenhouse gases and increase yields during the cultivation process. The students also had the opportunity to make delicious and healthy red quinoa sushi by hand. The next activity, which introduced students to the ways in which the DNA double-helix transmits the genetic code of life, was led by Associate Professor Chia-Hung Yen, who used a DNA model painting activity to help the students get a feel for the structure of DNA and the progress that biotechnology has been making in recent years. Next on the agenda was a “multi-ethnic cake and cookie culture” activity organized by Assistant Professor Chia-Chun Ku of the NPUST General Research Service Center. Through the activity, students were introduced to the history of “rice eating “, and they learned about the festival cultures of various ethnic groups and developed an appreciation for the artistic beauty of different traditional cakes through DIY activities. The final course, which was led by Professor Wen-Ling Shih from the Department of Biotechnology, taught the children about aromatic essential oils and gave them the opportunity to make artistic and creative handmade soaps. The activity brought the camp to a memorable close, and allowed the students to return home with a sense of accomplishment and a little something to show off to their families.
