Students are excited to participate in scientific activities at the science festival titled “A Science Adventure”, organised in Long An. — VNS Photo
The opportunity to get hands-on experience and enrich their science knowledge was provided to hundreds of students and teachers from five elementary schools in Ben Luc District in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An through a science festival titled “Khoa hoc Phieu luu ky” (A Science Adventure).
Organised by Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Viet Nam (OUCRU) and Bayer Vietnam in conjunction with the Long An Department of Education and Training, the festival sought to enhance primary school students’ involvement and interest in science and to bring them together with scientists and researchers for interactive and fun activities. The event is also part of Bayer Vietnam activities to mark its 25th anniversary in 2019.
The students joined in activities offered at 10 booths covering various topics like animal science, human science, plant science, health care, chemistry and mathematics.
For example, at the booth for environmental science, young children enjoyed playing VR mosquito trap games to get an understanding of environmental protection at home to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and Zika.
The festival was held as part of the "Khoa hoc Phieu luu ki" (A Science Adventure) project undertaken by OUCRU, Bayer Vietnam and the department in 2018-20.
The project is an extracurricular activity for grade four and five students in Long An.
Via the “the science clubs” model, the school children will get the opportunity to study three topics on humans, plants and animals such as why leaves change colour, why fish can swim easily in water or what is photo retention in the eye.
The children are also given a "Khoa hoc Phieu luu ki" handbook as material for doing fun and simple science exercises at home with parents or friends.
The project also supports schools with teaching materials, practical tools for experiments, organising training for science teachers in "Manuals for use of practical science kits" and "Methods and skills for teaching science effectively", organising a contest for them in "Designing Practical Science", and organising the “Science Festival” for children.
One of the highlights of this project is the participation as volunteers by scientists and lecturers from universities, members of OUCRU and employees of Bayer Vietnam. — VNS