Science Popularization Brings Vitality to Classroom: Administration of Shennongjia National Park conducts a science popularization activity on campus

April 22, 2022 marks the 53rd World Earth Day.

The Administration of Shennongjia National Park carried out a science popularization activity in Muyu Primary School with the theme of "Cherish the Earth for Harmonious Coexistence between Man and Nature".

As a volunteer, Pan Shulan, Ph.D. from the Environmental Education Institute of Taiwan Normal University and associate professor of the Hubei University of Economics, gave a lecture at Muyu Primary School, vividly introducing the natural resources, ecological values, culture and history of Shennongjia National Park and the significance of establishing a national park.

Professor Pan Shulan focused on the study manual of "National Treasure - Golden Snub-nosed Monkey" and led the sixth-grade students to explore the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey family in Shennongjia. The students and teachers listened attentively, showed great interest and actively participated in the Q&A session.

The photos and videos of golden snub-nosed monkeys allowed students to enter the world of the monkeys in Shennongjia. Can golden snub-nosed monkeys swim? Can they be nearsighted? Why do they have upward nostrils? What animals are they most afraid of? With curiosity, the students asked interesting questions throughout the whole lesson. Professor Pan Shulan divided the questions into six groups: golden snub-nosed monkeys' living habits, food preference, appearance, body structure, social structure, and behavior. Students would conduct independent post-class research for next week's presentation in the form of picture books, sketches, scientific briefs and slideshows.

According to Xiang Hongrong, head of the International and Domestic Cooperation Office, Shennongjia National Park plans to gradually transform from onsite lectures to online lessons, due to the current epidemic control, in future science popularization activities. The Park is now coordinating with the Shennongjia Bureau of Education to implement online education after networking and testing.

The online training in the later stage will focus on cultivating a volunteer team of teachers and students for science popularization, which will not only build the local science popularization strength, but also imperceptibly impart to learners the science knowledge and the values of ecological civilization, so as to contribute to the construction of ecological civilization. Through nature education, the public's awareness of environmental protection is constantly enhanced, and the resource value and ecological significance of Shennongjia National Park are displayed, making Shennongjia National Park a "National Classroom for Nature Education". (By Du Hua & Wang Pin)