Learning Sustainability through Science Fun: NSYSU and Yan T. Lee Foundation Science Education for All Co-Host Competition

The 30th Yan T. Science Fun Competition (Southern Taiwan Division) was held in grand fashion at National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), organized by the Aerosol Science Research Center of NSYSU in collaboration with the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry at Kaohsiung Medical University and the Center for Science Education at National University of Kaohsiung. More than 200 high school teachers and students from across southern Taiwan formed teams to participate. This year's event adopted a classical Greek academy theme. To add a playful touch, distinguished guests appeared in Greek-inspired attire, transforming the venue into a lively scene reminiscent of philosophers exploring the truths of nature.

Conference Chair Professor Chia C. Wang, Director of the Aerosol Science Research Center at NSYSU and Head of the Yan T. Lee Foundation Science Education for All Kaohsiung Office, opened the competition by revisiting the origins of Greek science. She highlighted how the Four Elements theory and Atomism laid the foundation for modern science, and noted that the English words ecology and economy both derive from Greek, meaning "study of the house" and "management of the house." Far from being in conflict, these two concepts complement each other. Wang reminded participating teachers and students of the importance of understanding and managing Earth’s ecological environment to ensure sustainable development.

Board Member Yuan-Hsu Wu introduced the two challenges of this year's competition—the Mendocino Motor and the Six-Axis Tensegrity Device. Aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Mendocino Motor demonstrates how solar energy can be converted into electricity, giving students hands-on experience with renewable energy and prompting them to consider solutions to today’s pressing energy issues. The Six-Axis Tensegrity Device fostered systematic thinking and holistic perspectives, encouraging students not to focus only on individual elements but to integrate material selection, structural optimization, and environmental impacts for more efficient and sustainable solutions. Professor Jwu-Ting Chen, Board Director of the Yuan T. Lee Foundation Science Education for All, Honorary Professor of Chemistry at National Taiwan University and Co-Host of the Center for University Social Responsibility Promotion, Ministry of Education, also underscored the importance of developing problem-solving skills.

Professor Wang further explained that the term tensegrity, coined by renowned American architect and inventor Richard Buckminster Fuller, combines "tension" and "integrity" to describe a unique structural principle. Quoting Fuller's words— "Apply the principles of science to solve problems of humanity" —she encouraged participants to reflect on how the scientific knowledge they acquire can be harnessed to address real-world challenges.

In early December, UNESCO officially launched the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD). The Yan T. Science Fun Competition has been a flagship annual event since the Foundation's establishment and proudly marks its 30th anniversary this year. Dedicated to advancing science education, the Foundation has begun integrating sustainability and environmental protection into its camps and activities in response to global trends. Distinguished guests at the NSYSU event included Professor Shu-Chen Hsieh, Chair of the Department of Chemistry at NSYSU; Jia-Chi Liang, Advisor of the Yan T. Lee Foundation Science Education for All; Professor Chai-Lin Kao of Kaohsiung Medical University; as well as this year's competition designers, Chung-Ting Lee and Shih-Wei Ke. The national championship of the competition will take place in late December.