Bayer, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit unveil digital science platform for youth
Bayer Vietnam and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit have launched an online scientific education platform called “Science Switch” to enable students to continue with their studies amid the pandemic.
Bayer Vietnam and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit have launched an online science education platform called “Science Switch” to enable students to continue with their studies amid the pandemic.
With the pandemic impacting many aspects of society, virtual learning has become one of the most viable options to limit disruption of children’s education.
Science Switch will feature activities based on three modes of learning: Science Videos (doing), Science Comics (reading), and Science Podcasts (listening).
These will be published weekly on OUCRU’s fanpage, Khoa Hoc Truong Hoc, and other Facebook pages to reach out to young people and empower them by enabling them to access knowledge, practise science and interact with peers and scientists.
For developing and producing materials, the Science Switch engages professional researchers and scientists for consultation and guidance and also directly produces content to improve learning outcomes and efficiency.
Vu Duy Thanh, OUCRU’s manager of the schools engagement and youth science programme, said: “OUCRU and Bayer aim to bring science closer to students, teachers, parents and inquisitive individuals via the ‘Making Science Make Sense’ project. More specifically, with the virtual science education platform Science Switch, we hope to provide more opportunities to students across the country to access scientific knowledge that is in line with the current educational landscape and trends, thus nurturing and increasing their interest in science.”
Science Switch was inspired by Bayer's Making Science Make Sense programme and has been carried out in Long An Province and HCM City by OUCRU and Bayer Vietnam since 2018.
It has reached around 12,000 kids and educators so far. This is one of Bayer Vietnam’s continuing efforts to invest in the next generation and advance science education in Viet Nam.
Through all these activities, project organisers will keep their ears open to feedback and comments from young participants to improve the platform.
A key component of this new phase is the launch of the Science Switch" online channel, which is a major leap forward for the project as a whole in terms of teaching, engaging and motivating the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and inventors.
Every year the initiative will host a ‘Meet the Scientists’ conference which will provide an opportunity for professionals, children and parents to enter into a dialogue and discuss future activities of the Making Science Make Sense project.
A student who participated in the project said: “Digital platforms and social media networks are slowly becoming an integral part of our lives. Aside from using the Internet for online learning, watching shows and playing games, the launch of a virtual education platform like Science Switch is really useful, and I think it will inspire many students to learn. I have watched the demo content of the project and I believe that students, as well as teachers and parents, will be able to find interesting information and acquire new knowledge when the project is officially launched.”
In 2021-22 the topics and curriculum for Science Switch have been curated based on the United Nations' ‘One Health’ concept. The concept follows a transdisciplinary paradigm that emphasises the connection between human and animal science, as well as our natural environment, to achieve the ultimate health outcomes.
Chu Viet Ha, head of Bayer Vietnam’s Crop Science Division, said at the launch of the Live-stream event: “For more than 150 years, Bayer has used science and innovation to advance health and nutrition. Science does not just happen in labs – science is all around us and powers everything we do. Science also has a significant impact on our everyday lives. We believe that Making Science Make Sense would serve as a platform for young people to develop a passion for and knowledge of life sciences. This will pave the way for their future development. Bayer is taking another step to empower the younger generation by improving their scientific knowledge, which aligns with our objective of improving the quality of life by bringing science into our everyday lives.” -- VNS
