The National Science and Technology Museum of Taiwan

Abstract

The National Science and Technology Museum of Taiwan Jui-Chen Yu (bio) The idea of building a science museum in southern Taiwan first surfaced in 1979. Since Kaohsiung was a modern industrialized city, the central government of the Republic of China, with the support of the city government, chose it as the site for a national museum that would introduce scientific concepts and technological development. Construction of an exhibition building began in 1989, and the National Science and Technology Museum was formally opened on 9 November 1997. The largest science museum in Taiwan (occupying a base area of 19 hectares and a floor area of 114,355 square meters) the museum is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, which funds its operating costs. Hence, although the museum is located in southern Taiwan, it serves the whole island. Two factors account for the increasing popularity of contemporary science museums: first, the rapid development of science and technology, and the increasing complexity of technological innovations; second, an increase in the number of people seeking learning opportunities outside of school. 1 Technological complexity already makes many people think science is incomprehensible and technology frightening, but their impact on our lives and society is too obvious to ignore. The response of formal education to societal needs is, as always, unfortunately slow. On the other hand, science museums, as informal learning places with rich collections, interactive exhibits, and interesting activities, begin to play an important role in promoting technological literacy for all citizens. The twentieth century has been characterized by changes of unparalleled rate and scale, in which the rapid development of technology has been a major factor. The impacts of technology on human beings can be found in every aspect of life: agricultural productivity has increased through the [End Page 107] use of machines and fertilizers, modern genetics has helped to increase the natural variability within plant species, plastics can be designed to have a wide variety of properties for different uses, from automobile and space vehicle parts to food packaging and fabrics to artificial hip joints. 2 As D. M. Baird points out, technology has brought a great many benefits for people, but it also bears with it great responsibility and a measure of risk. 3 Nuclear energy offers tremendous potential for power generation and beneficial applications, but how can we be sure that it will be used safely and its waste products disposed of properly? How do we guarantee the safety of those who handle nuclear materials? It is clear that scientific and technological literacy must increase for the whole population. Technology is truly global in its impact, and educators are gaining wider recognition in countries around the world as people realize the value of improving the technological literacy of the general public. Although people are becoming aware of the need for technological literacy, schools have not always been effective in applying formal education to offer good instruction in science and technology. Rigid teaching methods have often stifled the natural curiosity of young students, and schools are too frequently lacking in the facilities needed to teach science and technology, limiting opportunities to learn from personal experience and observation. This is where informal education comes in, to support and supplement formal education where necessary. A technology museum is basically a treasure house for communicating information about technology in many different ways. Silverstone describes it as a unique medium. 4 Like other media, it offers entertainment while communicating information and building interest among the public. On the other hand, it is different from other media in that it offers a setting—the building in which it is located—as well as stimulating graphics and text for the viewer. The museum building provides space for the display of instruments and materials used in science and technology, and it can even give people a chance to literally get their hands on technology and experience it, to both read about it and get to know it firsthand. If collections are the heart of museums, education is the spirit. Museums offer a totally different learning environment from schools, one that can stimulate the imagination and broaden the powers of observation. 5 A good [End Page 108...