'Science Switch': A Journey to Inspire Science for the Young Generation

Through the Science Festival themed “One Health” held on December 8, the program nurtured and nurtured scientific thinking for more than 500 students and teachers from 5 secondary schools in Tien Giang province.

New initiative helps students easily acquire scientific knowledge

The “One Health” Science Festival event was jointly organized by Bayer Vietnam, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), the Red Scarf Publication of Tuoi Tre Newspaper and the Departmentof Education and Training of Tien Giang Province. The program aims to convey scientific knowledge in a close, accessible way, while encouraging awareness of health and environmental protection for young people, helping to nurture the future.

Overview of the Science Festival with the theme "One Health" in Tien Giang . (Photo: Minh Hang)

Within the framework of the event, 17 creative science booths brought students new and useful experiences. Games such as “Mosquito Killer”, “Soap Superman”, or “Antibiotic Warrior” not only helped students explore scientific knowledge but also aroused their curiosity and love of research through the form of learning while playing. The game’s message emphasized the inseparable connection between humans, animals and the environment, important factors in maintaining sustainable life.

This year, 5 schools participated in the Science Switch Project in Tien Giang province, including Luong Hoa Lac Secondary School, Thi Tran Cho Gao Secondary School, Tan Hiep Secondary School, Xuan Dieu Secondary School and Le Ngoc Han Secondary School. Interestingly, all booths were designed by teachers and students from the participating schools, with the support of young scientists and the organizing committee.

The content is based on the science book “One Health” compiled by OUCRU, Bayer Vietnam and Tuoi Tre Newspaper exclusively for students. One of the impressive moments of the program was when all the students stood up, held hands and shouted the slogan “Protecting the planet is protecting ourselves”, showing their determination and spreading a positive message.

Students enjoy participating in games at creative science booths. (Photo: Minh Hang)

In addition to the booths, the event also featured creative science demonstrations by teachers and students from the schools, which took place over the previous two days. These performances conveyed messages about health and the environment in a vivid, visual way, bringing excitement and ease to the audience.

This is the result of the “Co-creation” training course held in October 2024, where 30 teachers from schools were guided by experts on how to build interactive and creative science activities. Through the training course, teachers not only acquired new skills but also helped students develop unique ideas, creating quality and attractive scientific products.

After the science demonstrations, science game booths and media spots on the Muc Tim website, the organizing committee awarded prizes for the "One Health" Science Festival.

Specifically, the consolation prize was awarded to 3 schools: Xuan Dieu Secondary School, Tan Hiep Secondary School and Luong Hoa Lac Secondary School. The second prize went to Le Ngoc Han Secondary School. The first prize was awarded to Cho Gao Town Secondary School.

Nguyen Thi Cam Van, a student at Cho Gao Town Secondary School, expressed her joy and love for the scientific demonstration about vaccines and soap. Through the play, she gained more knowledge about the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and protecting the surrounding environment and encouraged her friends to do the same.

The inspirational 3-year journey of the Science Switch project

The Science Switch project, launched in 2021, aims to foster a passion for science through innovative educational activities. Operating in schools across the country, the program encourages teachers and students to adopt innovative methods for teaching and learning science.

Teacher training courses have helped teachers gain more skills to organize attractive and effective scientific activities.

Creative, unique and meaningful science performances by teachers and students from schools. (Photo: Minh Hang)

Mr. Maximilian Rummert, representative of Bayer Vietnam Board of Directors, spoke at the event: "This year, the "Science Switch" project has expanded its scope of activities beyond Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to conveying scientific messages and knowledge to students in Tien Giang.

In the coming time, we will continue to cooperate with OUCRU, Khan Quang Do newspaper and other partners to develop more attractive scientific documents, while diversifying the methods of information transmission with high interactivity and more accessibility for young people in all provinces and cities.

Our goal is to stimulate a passion for discovery, inspiring students to proactively apply scientific knowledge creatively and effectively in life."

Vu Duy Thanh, School and Youth Science Program Manager at OUCRU, said that the approach through games and performing arts brings practical and creative experiences to teachers and students. He expressed his hope that these methods will continue to inspire teachers to innovate their teaching methods, making science more accessible.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Cuong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper, emphasized that choosing children as the target of science communication is a meaningful initiative. Through fun and useful activities, the project helps children understand that science is not dry but very practical in life.

He hopes that from these young buds, talented scientists may emerge in the future, or at least they will become active science propagandists in the community.

Mr. Maximilian Rummert, representative of the Board of Directors of Bayer Vietnam, presented the book “One Health” to school libraries, helping students easily access useful scientific documents. (Photo: Minh Hang)

In addition to the activities at the event, Bayer Vietnam, OUCRU and Tuoi Tre Newspaper also donated “One Health” books to school libraries, helping students easily access this useful scientific document.

The Science Switch Project, with its mission of spreading knowledge, has contributed significantly to building a generation of young people who love science and are ready to face and solve future challenges. The event ended with the hope that the scientific spirit will continue to be maintained and developed, creating long-term positive impacts on society.

Minh Hang

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cong-tac-khoa-hoc-hanh-trinh-truyen-cam-hung-khoa-hoc-cho-the-he-tre-ar912689.html