Science Switch is part of the Making Science Make Sense project – a joint initiative implemented by Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Bayer Vietnam, and Khăn Quàng Đỏ newspaper to support science education in Vietnam. The project desires to bring science closer to Vietnamese adolescents (aged 13-17) by engaging in attractive format.
The online population has been growing and adolescents often are the leading edge among these users. Hence, to increase their science literacy and interest, the project has been designated to connect with adolescents through online platforms, especially social media. Not only the platform but the formats that how science appears to adolescents are also important. Based on learning approaches through listening, watching, and reading, Science Switch has produced appealing media artworks such as Science comics, Science infographics, Science podcasts, and Science videos, which are expected to attract these audiences and bring them comfort while learning.
To cover science aspects of adolescents’ daily life, the chosen content direction of Science Switch is One Health and Applied Science. The project also refers to the scientific knowledge presented in school textbooks to fill in the gaps of its excitement and updates on the most recent science discoveries for young people.
However, the direct involvement of scientists and collaborative students is a significant contribution to Science Switch project. Every piece of content is written by scientists and edited by a group of collaborative students (called Science content creators or Science Stan) who have passion in science and content writing. This bolsters the accuracy, topicality and attraction of Science Switch science content.
See more content created by Science Stan at the official fanpage of the project Khoa Học Trường Học
In recent years, Science Switch has brought scientific knowledge through teenager-friendly media formats:
Short story format comforts students with concise science information combined with appealing graphic visuals and trendy online slangs for better learning experience.
Digital radio format encourages students to learn science in a storytelling way that they can feel much closer and more relevant.
Digital illustration visual format attracts students by simplifying and beautifying scientific elements, which can motivate students to learn about.
Phan Đức Mạnh
Nguyễn Thị Bích Thảo
Nguyễn Đoàn Thanh Thảo
Science Switch has organised science events at school for students, which are called “Meet the Scientists”. The project aims to increase students’ science interest and scientific knowledge by creating more meet-ups between scientists and students with more fun science activities.
A science book done by OUCRU, Bayer, and Khan Quang Do Magazine, contains interesting everyday topics, explaining difficult questions in an easy way.
A good resources to nurture science love for secondary and highschoolers