Wednesday August 16, 2023 – Over 1,000 school and university students arrived at the Golden Jubilee Convention Center and the Museum and Lifelong Learning Center, Khon Kaen University to join the first day of the National Science Week.
The morning session began with Mr. Panthep Sao-koson, Khon Kaen Vice Governor and Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University welcoming the participants. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul said that it is over 6 decades that Khon Kaen University has developed academic and research works and the innovations in science and technology that result in effective utilization and strengthening of the national competitive competency, security and sustainability.
“The National Science Week opens up a chance for the youths and the public to be exposed to and learn about sciences from direct experiences. This is the basis in building their conscience and stimulating their interest to learn as well as instilling scientific thinking ability. Sciences, technologies and innovations will sustainably improve their levels of capacities.”
Asst. Prof. Angkana Boonyued, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Sciences reported that the Faculty and the network holds the National Science Week every year to promote awareness and support the building of the multiplicity of bodies of knowledge in sciences, technologies and innovation. This year, the event is under the concept of “Science in Creative Generation.”
Prof. Supachai Pathumnakul, Ph.D., Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, who presided over the opening ceremony said that this year the National Science Week in the regions is a great event, for there are a lot of internal and external organizations join.
One activity that is very delighting is the commemoration of the virtue and capacities of His Majesty King Rama IV as the “Father of Thai Science”. HM King Rama IV was the first to calculate the full eclipse that was on August 18, 1868, demonstrating his intellect that was and is still appreciated by the world scientists. It has been the hope that we will have other Thais who are smart in sciences to follow King Rama IV’s step and receive appreciation by the world as well.
In addition, there are the exhibition to honor His Majesty King Rama IX as the “Father of Thai Technology” and the “Father of Thai Innovation”; and the exhibitions to honor His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn, King Rama X.
During August 16-18, 2023, there will be academic, scientific and mathematics competitions and contests at the high school level, including Science Project Competition, Question-Answering Contest, Scientific and Mathematics Problem Solution Contest, Scientific Communication Contest, Science Shows at the primary and secondary levels, Water Rocket Contest, Paper Airplane Contest. Over 250 schools in the Northeast entered these events.
The students from Chumponponsai School, Nongkhai, a team entering the Science Project Competition chose to develop an automatic garbage bin for the competition after they found that students in the school dropped garbage everywhere. If people fail to walk to a bin, then the bin can walk to the people. They studied about the codes related to the electric cycle and solar cell and spent more than 6 months to make the automatic garbage bin that can be controlled by the Application: Esp8266 WiFi robot car with a sensor that opens the lid automatically. After this, they are going to produce the bin that can be really used. After experimenting at the school, their friends became interested in dropping garbage in the bin. So they are going to develop a system that does not rely on the internet in the future.
A group of students from Chulabhorn Rajawittayalai School in Loei came with the device that detects leaks from a household gas stove after they watched the news on gas explosion or gas leaks that brought loss of lives and assets. They developed this device at the cost of only 500 baht, with a sensor that detects the leak and air density. If the device finds irregular parameters then the warning is made through the Application with Notification on a smart phone. There is also instruction for solution if there is a leak or a flame.
In addition, the students of the Faculty of Sciences of Khon Kaen University have prepared a lot of games for school students and visitors to join, including folding paper airplane, making water rockets and games related to science and mathematics. There are guides leading visitors to see stuffed animals. Visitors can also look at cells through the microscope. They can also collect points for drawing lots and for free photographing.
A student from Pimaiwittaya School, Nakhon Ratchasima said after visiting different booths that Khon Kaen University organizes a great event this year, with a lot of visitors and fun activities especially the forensic booth and analysis of a criminal based on science. This makes science learning fun. He really enjoys the event, wants it to be held every year and perhaps at a bigger place.
News / Photos: Phanit Khatanak
