National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) partnered with government agencies, private enterprises, and international civic organizations to host the Pingtung Station installment of the “2026 Taiwan Popular Science Train” activity, as it made its way through town. Spearheaded by Professor Hudson Hsu from the Bachelor Program in Smart Mechatronics at NPUST, the two-day event themed “As the Train Car Opens, the Future Unfolds” brought together local resources and leveraged Rotary International District 3510 to invite high school exchange students from the United States, Austria, Germany, and Brazil. These exchange students engaged in vibrant cross-cultural exchanges with young learners across interactive STEM booths. The event made a resounding impact, featuring 25 interactive science stations across the Pingtung and Chaozhou railway stations that welcomed approximately 650 teachers and students from 17 schools. The science journey then continued to Fangliao Station, where an additional 330 school children took part in the seamless blend of scientific exploration and international exchange.
The opening ceremony bursting with energy, was masterfully hosted by Jing-Yi Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Jeng Cheng Metal Chemical Co., Ltd., and featured Hakka songs and cultural costume performances by students from Feng-Tian Elementary School. Pingtung County Vice Magistrate Huang Guo-Rong and Lisa Peng, Chief of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch, delivered opening remarks praising the pivotal role of science outreach in empowering regional development. Five Rotary International District Governors also attended to witness the celebration of hands-on science and global connection, allowing young participants to discover the wonders of science while experiencing diverse global cultures. As the central force behind the initiative, NPUST demonstrated its deep academic strengths and commitment to social responsibility. A key highlight came from NPUST’s Veterinary Transfusion Medicine Center, which hosted the interactive experience “Furry Friends’ Heroic Mission,” educating students on dog and cat blood types and pet blood donation. In collaboration with partners like the Republic of China Military Academy and National Pingtung University (NPTU), the event brought diverse technology applications out of academic laboratories and into everyday life. Professor Hudson Hsu, a long-time champion of aerospace technology and public science outreach, led an interdisciplinary team uniting industry, government, and academia. Their combined efforts fulfilled NPUST’s vision of cultivating science education across southern Taiwan and planting the seeds of technological exploration and creative thinking for the next generation.
