Source: People's Daily
The popularization of science education for young people has been solidly promoted
Embracing Science, Innovation and Growth (Deep Focus)
Photo (1): Students of Yingbin Road Primary School in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, experience interesting science popularization facilities at the Science Popularization Activity Center in Haigang District.
Photo by Cao Jianxiong (People's Vision)
Figure (2): Teenagers in the 15th Nursery School in Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, conduct a parachute test.
Photo by Liao Peiyu (People's Vision)
Figure (3): Teenagers from Fuxi Community in Jiande City, Zhejiang Province visit meteorological monitoring instruments at Jiande Meteorological Station.
Ning Wenwu (People's Vision)
Figure (4): At the experimental base of Qingdao Special Crops Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, staff explain wheat seed management knowledge to primary school students.
Photo by Luan Qincheng (People's Vision)
In recent years, all localities have solidly promoted popular science education, promoted popular science resources into primary and secondary schools, encouraged students to enter the school surgical popularization base, and improved the evaluation and guidance of the effect of popular science education, so that the majority of young people can approach science and fall in love with science. The 2023 National Science Popularization Day will be held in various places from September 17 to September 23. In this edition of education, let us focus on the active exploration of several places in carrying out popular science education and improving the scientific quality of young people.
—Editor
Professional talents are the main force of science popularization
【Lens】
"Students, what do you think the painter Leonardo da Vinci and the 'surgical robot da Vinci' have in common?" "They're all creators, but in different fields." In the popular science class of Taishitun Town Central Primary School in Miyun District, Beijing, the primary school students' philosophical and childlike answers surprised Peng Yaqin, a graduate student of the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. On the stage, Peng Yaqin explained the application of artificial intelligence in surgical medicine in simple terms; Under the podium, the students listened with relish and interacted with the teacher in real time.
In the "Spring Equinox Project" youth science popularization special action of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, such scenes occur from time to time. "What kind of technology feast will the 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 'Spring Equinox Project' youth science popularization special action. Relying on the strength of teachers and students of the School of Science and Education Integration of the National University of Science and Technology, we are committed to improving the scientific literacy of young people in the form of popular science reports, scientific and technological guidance, and public welfare support teaching. Liu Weiqiang, director of the Propaganda Department of the Party Committee of the National University of Science and Technology, introduced.
Why are there so many craters on the moon? How do baby bees make honey? How chips are made... In the last semester alone, graduate students of UCAS conducted more than 1,800 interesting and informative science popularization reports, conveying the joy of scientific creation to young people and allowing the buds of science in their hearts to grow strongly.
"Students, knowing yourself is an important topic in life." Yu Wanrong, a graduate student of the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, brought a psychological science popularization report to the students of the No. 6 Primary School in Huairou District, Beijing, which was well received. From theory to experiment, ingenious introduction, patient explanation, the 45-minute course allowed students to learn how to look at psychology scientifically and look at their own emotional changes.
Through graduate students to help popularize primary and secondary schools, the teachers of Huairou Six Primary School are full of praise for this method. In their view, the "Spring Equinox Project" nurtures the seeds of science in the hearts of children like spring breeze and rain.
"Behind the many courses of the 'Spring Equinox Project', more than 100 teachers provide guidance to the graduate students who participate in science popularization, and strive to bring students the best experience and gain from each class. Behind this, more than 100 UCAS teachers are silently contributing. Wu Baojun, executive deputy secretary-general of the Association for Science and Technology of the National University of Science and Technology, introduced.
"The 'Spring Equinox Project' not only serves primary and secondary school science education, but also helps to cultivate the social responsibility and responsibility of students of national science universities." Wang Yanfen, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of UCAS, expressed the hope that in the practice of serving the society, students of UCAS will understand the personality temperament and value pursuit of "erudition and determination, and moral integrity", and achieve all-round development.
Innovative activities enrich the carrier of popular science
【Lens】
In front of the display board of the "Beautiful Sky and Beautiful Elephant" weather station of Mingqiang Primary School in Qibao Town, Minhang District, Shanghai, students are focusing on changing today's weather information. "This week's weather forecast is at the top", "Daily clothing advice is posted here", "With rain gear reminders, you don't have to worry about rain"... This is the epitome of Ming Keung Primary School's "Homemade Weather Life Tips" project-based learning course. Under the guidance of teachers, students collect, record and organize weather information, 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 campus weather stations and smart learning spaces have been successively established on the east and west campuses. With the support of the professional meteorological department, the school has developed a series of scientific practical activities suitable for students of different grades. "We hope that students can experience the wonders of meteorological science in the experiential activities that make interesting needs, learn to conduct independent research, and carry out innovative practices." Liu Yiting, vice principal of Mingqiang Primary School, introduced.
"How does the wind form and what are its characteristics? How should I prevent strong winds and severe weather? "Open the meteorological science picture book "Meteorological Musician" compiled by the school, the easy-to-understand language explains the principle of the formation of common weather phenomena such as rain, clouds, snow, fog, etc., and skillfully integrates with different fields such as art, literature and science to make the meteorological classroom more vivid and interesting.
"With VR glasses, we can experience the four seasons in the teacher's digital courseware, and we can also do virtual experiments and play various games!" Zhou Yijia, a fifth-grade student of Mingqiang Primary School, is full of expectations for every meteorology class, "little weather poet", "weather anchor" and "meteorological researcher", one by one "title" witnessed her gains in the process of meteorological learning.
The stage of basic education is a key stage for cultivating the spirit of science and enhancing the ability to innovate, and primary and secondary schools, as an important main body of education, shoulder the mission of cultivating students' scientific quality.
The reporter learned that at present, schools in various places have strengthened science education, constantly improved the concept and mechanism, and innovated methods and methods. For example, students of Shenzhen Experimental School independently produce scientific creations in the Science and Technology Festival and apply what they have learned; At Baiyin Chagan No. 1 Primary School in Chahar Right-wing Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, students tried to operate 3D printers, conduct modeling designs and experiments, and enhance their interest in science and technology through hands-on experience...
Xia Yuhua, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Experimental School, said, "It is the effect we most expect to achieve by injecting knowledge into children's minds through excellent practical courses, stimulating interest in practice, and allowing children to explore independently." ”
Mobile science popularization helps rural education
【Lens】
"Iron nails can build a bridge under the action of magnetism!" "Ordinary paper clips can dance!" In Shilipu Middle School in Rencheng District, Jining City, Shandong Province, the arrival of the popular science caravan made the entire campus boil. Cutting-edge scientific installations and scientific interactive experience equipment are lined up, and popular science exhibits covering light, force, mathematics, sound, electromagnetism, physics and other disciplines make a stunning appearance, bringing students a popular science feast that integrates knowledge and fun.
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 of Shilipu Middle School learned the nutrients of knowledge by discussing the principles of exhibits and experiencing the mysteries of science at zero distance. "These vivid and interesting experience projects allow us to understand science, get closer to science, feel the power of science and technology in the motherland, and stimulate a strong interest in science and technology." The students present said happily.
In recent years, Jining has been equipped with 7 popular science caravans and more than 200 series exhibits of the mobile science and technology museum, and has carried out nearly 1,000 activities in schools and villages, benefiting more than 10,000 young people. "The popular science caravan is mobile, flexible, and informative, interesting and interactive, which allows rural children to experience the charm of science more intuitively and shortens the distance between science and daily life." The relevant person in charge of Jining Science and Technology Association introduced.
At the No. 1 Primary School in Zhangguangmiao Town, Gushi County, Xinyang City, Henan Province, rural children felt the charm of science in interesting experiments. Beverage bottles are made into "water rockets", plastic ropes are made into "electrostatic octopuses"... Science teacher Zhang Jiantao uses the objects that can be seen everywhere around him to lead students to "play" science, guiding students to participate and explore and discover.
"I remember the first lab class that took the children to experience the 'formation of wind', everyone assembled the teaching aids, lit candles, and saw the hot air rising and pushing the wind wheel to turn, and the children jumped up excitedly. There was a light in their eyes, and I knew that it was a thirst for science, a yearning for science to illuminate a better future. Zhang Jiantao said.
Today, under the leadership of Zhang Jiantao and other science teachers, students actively participate in various scientific and technological competitions at all levels and win many awards. According to reports, Gushi County has built science experiment classrooms, and each grade has at least one science class every week, forming a strong atmosphere of stressing science, loving science, learning science, and using science.
"Science education on the mainland still has problems and deficiencies such as the overall weak 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. Provide corresponding science education resources for science education sites in weak areas and schools, and at the same time develop science education courses with local characteristics, continuously narrow the urban-rural, regional, inter-school and group gaps in science education, and ensure that "no one is left behind".
(Li Ye and Zeng Yuxin participated in the writing)