Fulfilling a Science Dream in Remote Communities — NFU and Tienfong Partner on Science Popularization Train, Bringing Green Energy to Schools

  • 2025-01-17
  • Admin System

In coastal remote areas, a lack of resources often prevents children from accessing advanced scientific knowledge and hands-on experiment opportunities. To help address this issue, Northland Power, a leading global offshore wind developer, specially chose to co-host a special science event with National Formosa University on January 14, just before the start of winter break, giving students in remote communities a chance to fulfill their science dreams.

Northland Power noted that this event continues the 10th edition of the Taiwan Science Tour Train, hosted by the National Science and Technology Council, aiming to give students in remote areas the joy of learning. The event was held at Chenglong Elementary School in Kouhu Township, attracting around 300 students from 6 elementary schools, allowing them to learn science through play while deepening their understanding of green energy.

Chenglong Elementary School Principal Tsai Fang-Jou places great importance on science education for students in remote areas, and specially invited NFU event coordinator Wu Tien-Chuan and instructor Tsai Chen-Kai to bring their expertise to the school. The event featured 10 carefully designed booths, using interactive games to help students understand scientific principles. Among these, the booths related to green energy proved especially popular, with students learning how to operate a wind turbine and experiencing firsthand how wind energy is converted into electricity.

Students participated in various science games related to wind energy. For example, activities related to air flow included challenges such as using airflow to spin paper strips and using an air cannon to knock over paper cups placed at a distance. There were also activities exploring how sound waves travel through different mediums, helping students understand the environmentally friendly measures taken during the installation of offshore wind farms.

Northland Power stated that this event not only allowed students to experience the wonder of science, but also raised their awareness of environmental issues. Each booth was staffed by an NFU five-year junior college student serving as the booth attendant, patiently explaining the scientific principles behind each game, allowing students to learn in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Chenglong Elementary School, the host school, also set up a special soccer-playing booth, allowing students to enjoy the fun of physical activity alongside the science event. This booth attracted many participating students and helped them learn the importance of teamwork through play. While playing soccer, students were also able to grasp basic principles of mechanics, making the event even more diverse.

Lee Yi-Hui, Public Relations Manager at Northland Power, Wu Pin-Lin, Specialist at the Yunlin County Government's Department of Education's Curriculum Development Section, Professor Ho Chih-Ting, Dean of NFU's College of Engineering, Professor Hung Lien-Hui of National Changhua Normal University's Department of Physics, along with the local township mayor and representatives, also attended the event to offer encouragement to the students on-site.
 
Lee Wang-Lung, Director of the National Science and Technology Council's Department of Science Education Development and International Cooperation, stated that such science outreach events are not one-time efforts — they not only enhance students' scientific literacy, but also serve as an effective supplement to the shortage of educational resources in remote areas. He encouraged students to boldly explore the unknown and cultivate a spirit of scientific inquiry, noting that this will be of great benefit to their futures.
 
Many participating students expressed how much they enjoyed the experience. One elementary school student excitedly said, "I learned so much about wind power generation, and I even got to operate a wind turbine myself — it was really fun!" Another student remarked, "The soccer booth made me happy and let me get some exercise at the same time — this kind of event is really great!" Teachers also praised the event, noting that such activities not only allow children to learn through play, but also strengthen their social skills and self-confidence.
 
Lee Yi-Hui, Public Relations Manager at Northland Power, stated that the company hopes to give back to society through events like this, particularly in support of education in remote areas. She noted that science education is the cornerstone of the future, and that businesses have a responsibility to provide the next generation with more learning opportunities. The Yunlin offshore wind farm, invested in and built and operated by Northland Power, was fully completed by the end of last year and will operate off the coast of Yunlin for more than twenty years. She expressed hope that such events can continue to be held, benefiting even more children.
 
Lee added that, going forward, Northland Power also looks forward to partnering with National Formosa University to promote a sustainable platform for environmental education and community development, working together with industry scholars, experts, young students, and community organizations to create the best solutions for advancing sustainable talent cultivation and community development. She expressed hope that, through science events funded by the company and combined with resources from the National Science and Technology Council, students can not only learn scientific knowledge, but also strengthen their environmental awareness, injecting new vitality into the development of education in remote areas and allowing the dream of science to shine brightly in these communities.
 
 
Photos provided by: Assistant Professor Wu Tien-Chuan, Department of Electronic Engineering
 
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Chenglong Elementary School invites NFU Department of Electronic Engineering instructors Wu Tien-Chuan and Tsai Chen-Kai to bring their booth service to the school, with the green energy-related booths proving especially popular.
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 NFU partners with Northland Power, focusing on green energy and supporting science education in remote communities.