Government agencies, and five major science and technology museums have organized events to be held at across the nation on Saturday and Sunday, and Nov. 15 and 16 for the Taiwan Science Festival, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) said.
The festival is in its sixth year, and is being held this month to coincide with the UN World Science Day for Peace and Development on Monday next week, NSTC Secretary-General Lin Kuang-hung (林廣宏) said at the launch event in Taipei on Friday.
Deputy Minister of Education Liu Kuo-wei (劉國偉) said events and activities for children and general public engagement are to take place at university campuses, including 25 “Popular Sci-Bases” throughout Taiwan to stoke public curiosity, promote scientific knowledge, and create environments conducive to scientific study and exploration.
Photo: Rachel Lin, Taipei Times
“In Taiwan, we have vigorous growth in high-tech industries, but most people still seek a better understanding of science and technology fields,” Liu said.
“This year we have organized more than 1,700 events and activities across Taiwan, at locations in the mountains and on the coast, to promote popular science and education in diverse, innovative and entertaining ways, to inspire public interest in scientific inquiry,” he said.
Hundreds of events have been organized in collaboration with Taiwan’s five major science and technology museums, including the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology in Keelung, the NSTC said.
The National Taiwan Science Education Center in Taipei would hold a “Science Night Market” with fireworks and feature a mathematical musical from India’s “Dabbawala in the House,” while the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung would host “Captain XR’s Expedition” and the puppet show “Giwas Explores the Earth’s Treasures” about an Atayal girl named Giwas leading viewers to discover the world of rocks and minerals, it said.
The National Science and Technology Museum in Kaohsiung would also hold a “Popular Science Fair” and “Indigenous Science Bazaar,” while the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pingtung County would host a “Knowledge Fishing Fair,” “Ocean Theater” and “Silent Disco” featuring local bands from southern Taiwan, the NSTC said.
Overall, this year’s science festival features 14 forums and conferences, 82 drama shows, 315 science demonstrations, 544 film festivals and exhibitions, 19 science competitions, 489 workshops, 39 science bazaars, and 292 related popular science activities, for a total of 1,794 events throughout Taiwan, it said.
An event calendar can be found at the Taiwan Science Festival’s official Web site (https://tsf.moe.edu.tw).
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the