Participants from both Taipei School for the Hearing-Impaired and National University of Tainan's Affiliated School will serve as science guides in the Gung ho inclusive car No. 7 during designated periods, leading students without hearing disabiity hands-on scientific experiments, with Taipei school's science teacher leading other faculty members in planning and training, while the Tainan team is guided by professor and students from National Cheng Kung University's Department of Materials Science who is a long-term partner with Covestro.
Covestro MagicMaterial School is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion through the power of science. In collaboration with institutions including the Department of Materials Science at National Cheng Kung University, the project addresses the significant lack of science education resources for hearing-impaired students. Covestro has established science clubs at all three schools for the hearing-impaired across Taiwan and organizes various activities that showcase the capabilities of hearing-impaired students.
During the Science Train event, elementary students from National University of Tainan's Affiliated School for the Hearing-Impaired will guide children from southern Taiwan through four engaging experiments: "Pecking Woodpecker," "Swimming Without Falling," "Floating and Sinking Doll," and "Unsinkable Wire." These experiments demonstrate physics principles in simple, entertaining ways that not only spark children's interest in science but also highlight the teaching abilities of hearing-impaired students.
"We firmly believe that chemical reactions occur not only in scientific experiments but can also transform people's hearts and minds," said Annie Chen, Managing Director of Covestro Taiwan. "Through the MagicMaterial School project, we've witnessed hearing-impaired students demonstrate unlimited potential in scientific fields and develop remarkable self-confidence. We thank the National Science and Technology Council for their invitation to join this initiative, allowing hearing-impaired students to serve as science guides and promote values of diversity, inclusion, and mutual benefit."
Science education should be accessible and inclusive for everyone, with every child having the right to explore scientific wonders. Throughout partnership with National Cheng Kung University and Covestro, we've not only developed experimental curriculum tailored for hearing-impaired students but have witnessed these children build confidence through hands-on science and evolve into science communicators themselves. This Science Train initiative represents a significant milestone in government-industry-academia-research institutions’ collaboration promoting educational equity in science, while showcasing Taiwan's innovative achievements in diverse STEM education.
"On behalf of our school, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Covestro for their years of dedication to science education for hearing-impaired students," said Li-Hua Chao, Principal of Taipei School for the Hearing-Impaired. "Covestro has successfully transformed abstract scientific concepts into tangible, visual experimental experiences, which is particularly important and inspiring for hearing-impaired students who primarily rely on visual learning. Through MagicMaterial School activities, our students have not only acquired scientific knowledge but also developed problem-solving skills and self-confidence. Being selected as science guides on the Science Train is tremendous validation for our children and provides an opportunity for the public to witness the unlimited potential of hearing-impaired students."
The Science Train Tour will launch with an opening ceremony at Taipei Station on October 20. Throughout the event, the train will make stops at 28 stations nationwide, with an expected participation of 24,000 people.
The Science Train project also marks the second major recognition for the Covestro Science Club students from National University of Tainan's Affiliated School, who were previously invited by the National Space Center in May to lead elementary school children from Tainan in science demonstrations.
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