Science Talented Youth from Asia Pacific Gathered in NTNU
The Asia-Pacific Forum for Science Talented (APFst) brings together students and teachers to promote scientific and cultural understanding and social awareness through dialogue and cooperation.
The 2016 event was held from Tuesday 19th to Sunday 24th July at the National Taiwan Normal University campus. Focused on the theme “Problem Solving of Future Scientists”, this 6-day event provides middle high school students with opportunities to brainstorm ideas, work collaboratively and creatively, meet new friends, and share cultures. The opening ceremony was on July 19th, 82 gifted students and 23 teachers from 13 Asia-Pacific countries and regions of Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan participated.
The Asia Pacific Forum for Science Talented was hosted by K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education and assisted by the Dept. of Special Education in National Taiwan Normal University, hoping to enhance the visibility and influence of Taiwan’s special education.
Professor Kuo Ching Chi, the president of the preparatory committee said that the forum will focus on caring the environment and improving problem solving skills. Also, group discussions, cooperation of people from different countries, and the establishment of friendship without borders, is one of the main purposes of this forum.
During the five day event, there will be speeches, student forums, implementation, field trip and cultural visits. Professor Joseph S. Renzulli, director of the Neag Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talented from the University of Connecticut and Professor Seokhee Cho from St. John's University were invited as keynote speakers.
The hand-on Project and student forum are another important part of this event. After group discussions, the students are asked to present their ideas of enhancing social care. The topics for student forum are “the advanced technology and its shortcomings” and “the development of resources and its dilemma”.