Taiwan Today

Science museums in Taiwan are leveraging technology and expanding activity offerings to enhance visitor experiences.
 

For Taipei City resident Huang Mei-hui (黃美惠) and her family, no trip to Taichung City in central Taiwan is complete without a visit to National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS). “My four-year-old son has been to the museum over 10 times, but he’s still eager as ever to go again,” Huang said. “He’s particularly enthralled by the giant animatronic dinosaurs that react to visitors by raising their heads and roaring.” According to Huang, there is always something fresh to see at NMNS because it regularly hosts new exhibitions. “Exploring science at an early age is essential for stimulating children’s curiosity and encouraging them to ask questions,” Huang said. “It also helps children develop their senses and overall awareness.” As a parent, she feels fortunate that Taiwan is home to a number of world-class institutions dedicated to the field.
 

Established in 1986, NMNS is Taiwan’s first science museum, and with more than 1.3 million drawings, objects, photographs, sound recordings and specimens spanning anthropology, botany, geology and zoology, it holds the largest collection of related materials. Supplementing its broad range of exhibits are five theaters equipped with advanced audio, lighting and video systems, as well as themed galleries like its Human Cultures, Life Science and Global Environment Halls. The museum also has a botanical garden containing over 800 plant species to provide further educational and recreational options.
 

In recent years, NMNS has been striving to enhance its offerings with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) features while putting greater emphasis on lighting and spatial design. These approaches bring collections to life and provide unique guest experiences. “We aim to boost public interest in science by creating an engaging learning environment with the latest technologies,” NMNS Director General Chiao Chuan-chin (焦傳金) said, adding that it is essential for the museum to be innovative with its display methods and content in order to encourage repeat visits.
 

Alongside its permanent exhibitions, film screenings, guided tours and lectures, NMNS organizes outreach programs supplying learning kits and teaching aids to schools, especially those in remote areas, and offers free admission to underprivileged students. “Learning opportunities in the early years are critical for success,” the director general said. “We want to promote scientific literacy in children and cultivate their critical thinking and knowledge about natural phenomena.” At the same time, NMNS is increasing its social media presence, holding virtual exhibitions and expanding online access to collections and educational materials. “Museums must go further in adapting to the digital age, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chiao said. “That way they can continue engaging audiences regardless of geographic location or operating hours.”
 

Aquatic Awareness

Like NMNS, National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST) based in northern Taiwan’s Keelung City is committed to broadening the scope of its services. Located beside Badouzi Fishing Port and Chaojing Park, the ship-shaped establishment is a popular destination for cultural tourism and ecotourism. According to NMMST Director General Chen Su-fen (陳素芬), the institution has been working to raise consciousness of the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ocean resources since commencing operations in 2014. Accordingly, it provides a wide selection of educational and recreational activities for families, school groups and other visitors.
 

“Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet as a whole. That’s why U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 14 specifically highlights the importance of conservation,” Chen said. “Our museum is devoted to ramping up public engagement and building greater ocean literacy to realize global targets.” Cognizance of environmental challenges helps citizens make responsible decisions regarding ocean stewardship, she added. To this end, NMMST’s thematic galleries give insight into deep sea ecosystems, fisheries science, marine science, the relationship between people and the ocean as well as naval architecture and ocean engineering with displays of historic images, scientific artifacts, models and objects. Meanwhile, its IMAX Theater, equipped with an 8K projector and high-end surround-sound system, transports audiences to the ocean depths to learn about the diverse species dwelling there.
 

Over the years, NMMST has also incorporated emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), AR and VR into displays. “We want to ensure a visit to our museum is a thoroughly memorable experience,” Chen said. “Technology draws people in by engaging more senses than traditional exhibits can.” Sophisticated presentation sparks museumgoers’ interest and bolsters information retention, she added.
 

Furthering the museum’s mission are freely available online resources such as e-books, games, lesson plans and videos supporting different learning abilities and styles. “Capitalizing on our collected assets, materials are designed to stimulate the curiosity of learners of all ages and needs,” Chen said. “The idea is to increase efficacy by making it a fun time for everyone.” Particular emphasis is placed on how human activities such as overfishing and pollution have affected marine life with the objective of inspiring people to adjust everyday behaviors, she added.
 

Shaping Intellect

Joining NMNS and NMMST in placing top priority on adopting cutting-edge tech is National Science and Technology Museum (NSTM) in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Founded in 1997, the institution holds a collection of 54,000 items including electronics, machinery, optoelectronics, telecommunication devices, textiles and weights and measures, with permanent exhibitions themed around Taiwan’s agriculture, industrial history, telecom development and transportation systems.
 

“Modern technology has changed our lives in countless ways, revolutionizing how we live, work and play,” NSTM Director General Chen Shiunn-shyang (陳訓祥) said. “Our museum’s primary task is to promote lifelong learning by exploring the impacts of technology across daily life and society, while our educational programs seek to harness the power of science to meet sustainability challenges.”
 

Given the known benefits of hands-on education, NSTM offers camps, classes, competitions and workshops as well as take-home craft and DIY kits for children and adults alike, all of which aim to teach students how to observe things around them, plan a process to test their hypothesis, put the process into motion and bring their experiment to successful completion. “Many studies show learning by doing increases students’ motivation and enhances their creativity, logic and perception. This means they can better apply lessons to real-life situations,” Chen said. The institution’s thought-provoking exhibits and DIY activities have made it a popular field trip destination, he added.
 

Equipment at the museum additionally allows visitors to get a firsthand taste of revolutionary trends like autonomous and electric vehicles, extended reality—which encompasses AR, VR and mixed reality—and industrial robots. There are also earthquake, flight and moon walk simulators for visitors to get a feel for the real thing.
 

“Technology has reshaped how museums function, deliver experiences and design their spaces,” Chen said. “NSTM is embracing immersive tech to keep people informed and entertained.” Science museums across Taiwan have been proactive in finding new ways to heighten visits and reach a wider audience. “Thanks to our museum’s vast array of learning and leisure options, it’s becoming a must-see destination for families and tourists,” NSTM’s Chen said. “High visitor numbers are helping us fulfill our ultimate goal of enhancing public understanding of science, an essential condition to human advancement, global competitiveness and future innovation.”


Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw