In recent years, all localities have solidly promoted popular science education, promoted popular science resources to enter primary and secondary schools, encouraged students to enter off-campus popular science bases, and improved the evaluation and guidance of popular science education effects, so that the majority of young people can approach science and fall in love with science. The National Science Popularization Day in 2023 was held in various places from September 17th to September 23rd. In this edition of education, let’s focus on the active exploration in developing popular science education and improving young people’s scientific quality in several places.
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Professionals act as the main force of popular science
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"Students, what do you think the painter Leonardo da Vinci and the surgical robot Leonardo da Vinci have in common?" "They are all creators, but their fields are different." Peng Yaqin, a graduate student at the Institute of Automation, China Academy of Sciences, was pleasantly surprised by the philosophical and childlike answers given by primary school students in the popular science class at Taishitun Town Central Primary School in Miyun District. On the podium, Peng Yaqin explained the application of artificial intelligence in surgical medicine in a simple way. Under the podium, the students listened with relish and interacted with the teacher in real time.
In the "Vernal Equinox Project" youth science popularization special action of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, such scenes happen from time to time. "What kind of science and technology feast will volunteer brothers and sisters bring this week?" The weekly popular science class has become the expectation of small science and technology fans in more than 30 primary and secondary schools in Miyun, Huairou and other districts of Beijing.
"In 2018, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the school launched the’ Vernal Equinox Project’ youth science popularization special action. Relying on the strength of teachers and students of the Science and Education Integration College of the National Science and Technology University, we are committed to improving the scientific literacy of young people in the form of popular science reports, scientific and technological counseling, and public welfare education. " Liu Weiqiang, Minister of Propaganda Department of the Party Committee of National Science and Technology University, introduced.
Why are there so many pits on the moon? How do bees make honey? How to make the chip … Only last semester, the graduate students of the National Science and Technology University of China gave more than 1,800 interesting and informative popular science reports, which conveyed the happiness of scientific creation to young people and made the buds of science grow sturdily in their hearts.
"Students, knowing yourself is an important topic in life." Yu Wanrong, a graduate student from the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave a popular psychological science report to the students of the Sixth Primary School in Huairou District, Beijing. From theory to experiment, clever introduction and patient explanation, the 45-minute course taught students how to treat psychology scientifically and their emotional changes.
Through the help of graduate students in primary and secondary schools, the teachers of Huairou Sixth Primary School are full of praise for this way. In their view, the "vernal equinox project" has nurtured the scientific seeds in children’s hearts like spring breeze and rain.
"There are more than 100 teachers behind the many courses of the Vernal Equinox Project to provide guidance for graduate students who participate in popular science, and strive to bring students the best experience and harvest in each class. Behind this, more than 100 teachers from the National Science and Technology University are quietly paying. " Wu Baojun, executive deputy secretary-general of the National Science and Technology Association, introduced.
"The’ Vernal Equinox Project’ not only serves the science education in primary and secondary schools, but also helps to cultivate the social responsibility and responsibility of the students of the National Science and Technology University." Wang Yanfen, executive deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the National Science and Technology University, expressed the hope that the students of the National Science and Technology University will realize the personality temperament and value pursuit of "erudition and dedication" and achieve all-round development in the practice of serving the society.
Innovative activities enrich popular science carriers.
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In front of the exhibition board of "Beautiful Days and Beautiful Elephants" weather station in Qibao Zhenming Qiang Primary School, Minhang District, Shanghai, students are concentrating on changing today’s weather information. "This week’s weather forecast is at the forefront", "Daily dressing suggestions are posted here" and "You don’t have to worry about getting wet with rain gear reminders" … This is the epitome of the project-based learning course of "Tips for Self-made Meteorological Life" in Mingqiang Primary School. Students collect, record and sort out weather information under the guidance of teachers, make judgments based on life experience, and apply meteorological knowledge to daily life.
Since 2020, Mingqiang Primary School has vigorously carried out meteorological science popularization activities, and the east and west campuses have successively established campus meteorological stations and smart learning spaces. With the support of the professional meteorological department, the school has developed a series of scientific practice activities suitable for students of different grades. "We hope that students can feel the wonder of meteorological science in the experience activities of interesting needs, learn to study independently and carry out innovative practice." Liu Yiting, vice president of Mingqiang Primary School, introduced.
"How is the wind formed and what are its characteristics? How to prevent it when encountering windy weather? " Open the picture book "Meteorologist" compiled by our school, and explain the formation principle of common weather phenomena such as rain, clouds, snow and fog in easy-to-understand language, which is skillfully integrated with different fields such as art, literature and science, making the meteorological class more lively and interesting.
"With VR glasses on, we can appreciate the climate of the four seasons in the teacher’s digital courseware, and we can also do virtual experiments and play various games!" Zhou Qijia, a fifth-grade student in Mingqiang Primary School, is full of expectations for every meteorological class. The titles of "meteorological poet", "meteorological anchor" and "meteorological researcher" have witnessed her achievements in the process of meteorological learning.
The basic education stage is the key stage to cultivate scientific spirit and enhance innovation ability. As an important educational subject, primary and secondary schools shoulder the mission of cultivating students’ scientific quality.
The reporter learned that at present, schools around the country strengthen science education, constantly improve the concept and mechanism, and innovate ways and means. For example, students of Shenzhen Experimental School independently produce scientific and technological works in the Science and Technology Festival to apply what they have learned; At Baiyinchagan No.1 Primary School in Chahar Right Wing Houqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, students tried to operate a 3D printer, carry out modeling design and experiments, and enhance their interest in science and technology innovation through personal experience …
Xia Yuhua, secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Experimental School, said, "It is our most desirable effect to inject knowledge into children’s minds through excellent practical courses, stimulate interest in practice and let children explore independently."
Mobile popular science helps rural education
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"nails can actually build a bridge under the action of magnetic force!" "Ordinary paper clips can dance!" In rencheng district Erlipu Middle School in Jining City, Shandong Province, the arrival of the popular science caravan made the whole campus boil. Cutting-edge scientific devices and scientific interactive experience devices lined up, and popular science exhibits covering light, power, mathematics, sound, electromagnetism, physics and other disciplines made a stunning appearance, bringing students a feast of popular science integrating knowledge and interest.
The popular science caravan is a "mobile science and technology museum", which can send rich popular science knowledge to rural children and effectively satisfy their curiosity about science. The students in Erlipu Middle School learn the nutrients of knowledge by discussing the principle of exhibits and feeling the mystery of science at zero distance. "These lively and interesting experience projects let us understand science, approach science, feel the strength of the motherland’s scientific and technological strength, and stimulate a strong interest in science and technology." The students present said happily.
In recent years, Jining City has been equipped with 7 popular science caravans and more than 200 pieces of mobile science and technology museum series exhibits, and has carried out nearly 1,000 activities in the campus and countryside, benefiting more than 10,000 young people. "The popular science caravan is mobile and flexible, integrating knowledge, fun and interaction, which can make rural children experience the charm of science more intuitively and narrow the distance between science and daily life." The relevant person in charge of Jining Science and Technology Association introduced.
In the No.1 Primary School of Zhangguangmiao Town, Gushi County, Xinyang City, Henan Province, rural children feel the charm of science in interesting experiments. Drink bottles are made into "water rockets", and plastic ropes are made into "electrostatic octopus" … Zhang Jiantao, a science teacher, leads students to "play" science with things that can be seen everywhere, guiding students to participate and explore.
"I remember taking the children to experience the formation of wind in the first experimental class. Everyone assembled teaching AIDS and lit candles. After seeing the hot air rising to push the wind wheel to rotate, the children jumped up excitedly. They all have light in their eyes. I know that it is a longing for science and a yearning for science to illuminate a better future. " Zhang Jiantao said.
Nowadays, under the leadership of Zhang Jiantao and other science teachers, students actively participate in various scientific and technological competitions at all levels and win back many awards. According to reports, science experimental classrooms have been built in Gushi County, and each grade has at least one science class every week, forming a strong atmosphere of stressing, loving, learning and using science.
"There are still problems and deficiencies in China’s science education, such as weak overall foundation and uneven regional development, which need to be strengthened and improved urgently." The relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Education said that it is necessary to accelerate the development of rural science education and effectively improve the quality of rural science education. We should provide corresponding science education resources for science education places in weak areas and schools, and at the same time develop science education courses with local characteristics, so as to continuously narrow the gap between urban and rural areas, regions, schools and groups in science education and ensure that "no one can be less". (Li Wei and Zeng Yuxi participated in the writing)
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