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【Translator: Zhi-Yu Yang】

【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】

2023-06-30 Since last year (2022), the "Science Communication Club" at National Kaohsiung University has been offering an abundant feast of science and English learning for students from Kaohsiung Municipal  Ke-Liao Junior High School, covering topics ranging from "Aerodynamics"

and "Pressure" to "3D printing" and "Programming." This year (2023), during the summer vacation, they have invited professional instructors from the "Tesla supplier" Sha Yang YE to impart knowledge in mechanics and intelligent manufacturing. This initiative aims to gradually establish a foundation in science and language skills, which the students will put to good use as they prepare to form teams and compete in the Top International Robotics Tournament (TIRT) scheduled for October.

Chin-Chung Yu, the tutor of the Science Communication Club and Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, expressed that the university is fulfilling its social responsibility through the University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative and responding to the national bilingual education policy. In response to an invitation from Principal Juan-Juan Li of the Ke-Liao Junior High School, they established a "Bilingual Creative Science Club." This club designed three science (experimental) sessions paired with one English teaching session to cultivate scientific literacy and English proficiency.

Over one academic year (111), the program has conducted over 30 lessons. Topics covered include aerodynamics, pressure, buoyancy, understanding campus plants, optics, 3D printing, familiarization with electronic components, and basic programming courses. These subjects have been integrated with English teaching, resulting in 31 lessons.

Ph.D. Huei-Shih Liao combines English and scientific elements in her teaching approach. She designs diverse materials, such as question-and-answer sessions and some videos, to enhance students' interest in learning. She also uses LINE group chat to distribute vocabulary assignments and track progress, encouraging students to urge each other.

In addition, to expand students' horizons, Wan-Sheng Su, editor of the National Taiwan Science Education Center, and Jian-Heng Chou, professor of Vanung University, have arranged to guide students through practical operations. They demonstrated concepts such as buoyancy and thermodynamics, visualizing abstract physics ideas.

For instance, Jian-Heng Chou used heating alcohol lamps to generate water vapor to demonstrate water thermal expansion and reaction force work. He used the " Stirling engine " to illustrate the principle of isolated gas undergoing expansion when heated to perform external work (e.g., driving a wheel) and then contracting as it cools down. Subsequently, the process repeats with further heating, creating a basic engine structure.

The efforts of the Yu Jinzhong team have also attracted the attention of " Sha Yang YE," the world's largest motor gearbox manufacturing company and a part of Tesla's supply chain. In February of this year (2023), Chairman Mr.

Feng-Chung Tsai led a delegation to visit, discussing cooperation on national education robotics programming and practical courses. They even discussed the possibility of inviting participation in competitions. Additionally, their affiliated partner, Aishang Technology's manager, LU Fang-Chung, will give classes to students in the summer of August.

NUK's "Science Communication Club" mainly comprises teachers and students from the Department of Applied Physics. A total of 5 students are involved in providing club-based lessons. These students transform the knowledge acquired from their freshman general physics, sophomore laboratory courses, and junior-year electronics studies into scientific teaching materials. They bring dynamic and lively content to junior high school students’ lessons through simple demonstrations and instructional activities.

This approach allows NUK's students to review and contemplate the

knowledge they have gained. It enables them to refine their physics knowledge application further and cultivate their ability to handle situations, make decisions, and improve their verbal communication skills. Ultimately, they contribute their learning to societal service.

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#SDG4