Bayer Vietnam kicks off science education project

Science Switch was launched as a part of Bayer’s global initiative “Making Science Make Sense” (MSMS) to help develop science literacy among students in a different and effective way.

Taking place at Khan Quang Do’s offices, the launch event welcomed around 80 participants representing OUCRU, Bayer, the publisher and project team members, including scientists, content developers and editors. More than 60 students from secondary and high schools in Ho Chi Minh City also attended the event.

This year, the project content will mainly focus on selected topics from secondary and high school science textbooks, based on a vote by students, and feature ‌three‌ ‌methods‌ ‌of‌ ‌learning including science‌ ‌infographics‌ ‌(reading), science‌ ‌explainer‌ ‌videos (watching), and online science quizzes (practicing).

Ingo Brandenburg, managing director of Bayer Vietnam. Photo by Bayer Vietnam

The development process will involve scientists working in related fields, young editors and experienced media agencies to ensure final works are not only scientifically accurate but also suit the tastes of young generations.

Teaching and learning science as a school subject has presented a challenge to both teachers and students as many find textbook content either confusing or tedious. Science Switch 2022 will spark the joy of science in children by introducing school curriculum content in a new and engaging light.

First launched in 2021, the Science Switch project has virtually reached out to more than one million people across the country in the format of science comics, podcasts and online engagement events.

“Following that success, OUCRU has continued to explore various innovative and exciting forms of science activities to drive more engagement from schoolchildren and enhance their passion for science and its application in daily life,” Vu Duy Thanh, OUCRU’s manager of the Schools Engagement and Youth Science Program, said.

Students from secondary and high schools in Ho Chi Minh City attend the event. Photo by Bayer Vietnam

Beside online activities on the digital hub, the second phase of Science Switch 2022 plans to offer students more interactive activities including a science contest themed “Friends of Science” and a 3D virtual exhibition where the top 10 projects from the aforementioned contest will be digitally showcased in an exciting and engaging format, providing online visitors unique and realistic experiences.

Ingo Brandenburg, managing director of Bayer Vietnam, said: “As an industry-leading life science company, Bayer has its foundation in science, innovation and research and we would like to advance STEM education for the youth and seek to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators through the MSMS initiative. We believe this project will reach out to many more students, supporting them in finding their footings in the digital age of scientific research and practice.”

Nguyen Khac Cuong, editor-in-chief of Khan Quang Do publisher, stressed the collaboration with OUCRU and Bayer Vietnam would develop engaging and student-friendly learning materials to spark an interest in science.

In fiscal 2021, the group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euro. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euro.