Science and Art ALOHA! NSYSU and Yuan T. Lee Foundation Explore Ecological Sustainability

This summer's record-breaking heat has made the urgency of addressing climate change impossible to ignore. In response, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) joined hands with the Yuan T. Lee Foundation Science Education for All to host the 2024 ALOHA! Sustainable Development—Science and Art Exploration Camp, a five-day program that integrates science and art. The camp featured an original ecological theater performance combining dance and music to depict the interconnectedness of all living things, as well as outdoor exploration activities: observing Formosan macaques in Shoushan, studying marine aerosols and coral reefs at Sizihwan, and searching for coral fossils. Through cross-disciplinary learning designed for both students and parents, the camp encouraged participants to understand the principles of ecological interdependence and to explore solutions to sustainability challenges.

Professor Chia C. Wang, Director of NSYSU's Aerosol Science Research Center and Head of the Foundation's Kaohsiung Office, explained that the camp is one of the few interdisciplinary programs in Taiwan focused on cultivating students' comprehensive literacy in sustainable development. Participants ranged from third graders to senior high school students, with a total of 64 students enrolled. For the first time, parents were also invited to join their children in learning. The curriculum covered pressing ecological issues such as global warming, climate change, air pollution, PM2.5, clean energy, and biodiversity. "These topics are complex and interdisciplinary, making it difficult for conventional subject-based education to present a holistic picture. This camp, however, took an issue-based approach to break free from those limitations," Wang said.

The camp's name ALOHA stands for five essential aspects of the Earth's environment—Aerosols, Land, Ocean, Human, and Air—while also drawing on the Hawaiian greeting that symbolizes hope, love, and peace. With a comprehensive, issue-based curriculum, the camp integrated lectures, ecological theater, outdoor exploration, field studies, science picture books, and hands-on experiments, enabling students to understand the interconnectedness of all living systems. A highlight was the newly created ecological theater piece, "The Quest of Electron Clouds", co-written and composed by Professor Wang, Associate Professor Elaine Ho of NSYSU's Department of Theatre Arts, and musician Izumi. This original performance depicted the molecular composition of all matter, inviting the audience to "dance like molecules" to simulate microscopic vibrations. Drawing on the discoveries of Nikola Tesla and quantum physicist Erwin Schrödinger, the performance emphasized that all things in the universe are forms of energy with wave-like properties, using the concept of electron clouds to illustrate the vision of ecological oneness.

Outdoor exploration courses were conducted in collaboration with the Taiwan Macaque Coexistence Promotion Association and Shoushan National Nature Park. Participants observed Formosan macaques in their natural habitats, studied marine aerosols and coral reefs at Sizihwan, and searched for coral fossils, strengthening their connection with nature and nurturing empathy toward other species. In partnership with the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, live corals were brought from Pingtung, giving students a rare opportunity to witness living corals firsthand and understand the importance of biodiversity.

The curriculum also drew on science picture books and teaching kits developed by NSYSU's ASRC, covering topics such as the sources and types of PM2.5, building air quality sensors, and the transmission and prevention of viral aerosols. Marine and water resource lessons introduced the ecological crises of ocean acidification, warming, and plastic pollution, coupled with water purification experiments to highlight the value of this vital resource. Clean energy courses included building fruit batteries and experimenting with hydrogen and wind energy. Biology courses introduced the human respiratory system and lungs, the interactions between animals and plants, and the diversity of visible and microscopic life forms. Many parents later shared that while they initially worried sustainability topics might be too difficult for children, "the camp's curriculum was incredibly impressive—our kids came home excited every day, eager to share what they learned," making it a truly rewarding experience.

NSYSU Acting President Chih-Wen Kuo stated that the 2024 ALOHA! Sustainable Development—Science and Art Exploration Camp offered a diverse and enriching curriculum taught by interdisciplinary experts from fields including chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental engineering, energy, ecology, education, and the arts. The program helped students grasp the interdependence between air, ocean, land, humans, and other species, and encouraged them to reflect on how humanity can meet the severe challenges facing Earth's ecosystems while working together for sustainable development.

Outdoor exploration course at Sizihwan: participants studied marine aerosols, highland coral reefs, and searched for coral fossils, strengthening their connection with nature.

Outdoor exploration course at Shoushan: participants observed the ecology and habits of Formosan macaques up close.

Marine and water resources class: students, dressed in lab coats, conducted water purification experiments to experience the preciousness of clean water resources.

In collaboration with the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, live corals were brought from Pingtung, giving students a rare opportunity to observe corals firsthand and appreciate biodiversity.

The "Deep Breathing and Awareness" class guided participants through breathing, sound, movement, and imagination to expand sensory awareness and connect with the Earth and the ecological body.

Hands-on course on building air quality sensors.

Using an illustrated science picture book developed by NSYSU's Aerosol Science Research Center, participants learned about viral aerosol transmission routes and prevention strategies.

Microbiology course introducing the structure of coronaviruses.

The newly scripted ecological theater guided participants to experience molecular vibrations through body movement.

Ecological theater performance — The Adventure of Electron Clouds.

Students observed coral samples under the microscope.