Earth Medicine in the 21st Century: Action for Net-Zero Emissions — NCKU Department of Life Sciences Hosts High School Biology Teacher Workshop

21st Century Earth Medicine Action for Net-Zero Emissions: NCKU Department of Life Sciences Organizes High School Biology Teacher Workshop

In response to global climate change and the biodiversity crisis, and to cultivate a new generation of citizens equipped with scientific thinking and problem-solving skills, the Department of Life Sciences at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) organized the high school biology teacher workshop titled “Earth Medicine in the 21st Century – Action for Net-Zero Emissions.” The program aims to foster teachers’ awareness of respect for and protection of nature, and to promote interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. The workshop curriculum includes topics such as biochemistry and molecular biology, ecology, and biodiversity, with further discussions on net-zero emission strategies. Participants will learn scientific approaches to addressing climate challenges through real-world case studies and hands-on activities.

In response to global climate change and biodiversity crises, and to cultivate citizens with scientific thinking and problem-solving abilities, the Department of Life Sciences at NCKU organized the “Earth Medicine in the 21st Century – Action for Net-Zero Emissions” high school biology teacher workshop.

Promoting Inquiry-Based Science Education in the New High School Curriculum

This workshop aligns with Taiwan’s 12-Year Basic Education curriculum reform, which incorporates “Inquiry and Practice in Natural Sciences” as a compulsory high school subject. The reform adopts an inquiry-based science education (IBSE) model, emphasizing hands-on learning to develop students’ problem-solving abilities and scientific literacy. IBSE aims to help students understand the nature and application of science while encouraging critical thinking and self-directed learning.

In-service and pre-service teachers play a key role in this process. Department Chair Huang Hao-Ren stated that the workshop provides a series of training sessions to help teachers master IBSE teaching methods for practical classroom application. Participants will learn how to integrate theory and practice in science education to improve student learning outcomes.

Earth Medicine and Net-Zero Emissions: Global Movement and Local Practice

Rapid human development has posed severe challenges to global biodiversity. Climate change-related issues such as extreme weather, wildfires, and emerging infectious diseases threaten both human and environmental health. A key concept of this workshop is “Earth Medicine,” which emphasizes global collaboration in addressing environmental crises and achieving net-zero emissions.

Participants will gain deeper insights into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discuss key topics such as biodiversity, circular economy, and carbon neutrality. Experts from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) will introduce Taiwan’s net-zero strategies and demonstrate how innovative low-carbon technologies can drive industrial transformation and enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness in global supply chains.

Expert Lectures and Hands-on Activities: Interdisciplinary Solutions

The workshop also features lectures by multiple experts, covering topics such as greenhouse gas crises, climate-friendly campus development, and the impact of climate change on plant health. Speakers include Professor Liu Bao-Wen on the greenhouse effect, Professor Chen Shao-Yan on plant health, Professor Huang Liang-Ming on SDGs and circular economy challenges, Professor Liang Bi-Qing on net-zero carbon strategies, and Professors Huang Zhao-Li and Lin Ya-Ling on carbon sequestration research. These talks provide interdisciplinary scientific perspectives for solving real-world problems.

In addition, hands-on sessions such as “Plant Flower Microbial Culture Experiment” and “Pollen and Microbial Co-culture” allow participants to conduct climate-related scientific experiments themselves. These courses aim to help teachers apply scientific inquiry methods in future teaching, inspire student interest in science, and connect learning with real-life applications.

The “Earth Medicine in the 21st Century – Action for Net-Zero Emissions” workshop not only enhances participants’ understanding of scientific literacy and environmental conservation but also contributes to Taiwan’s progress toward net-zero emissions and the development of climate-friendly campuses. In line with President Cheng-Chih Shen’s educational philosophy, this interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing provide diverse teaching resources, laying a solid foundation for a healthier and more sustainable future.

September 21 (Sat.)

• 09:00–09:05　Opening Remarks / Dean Yu-Min Wang

• 09:05–09:10　Agents of Net-Zero Emissions – Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 / Distinguished Professor and Department Chair Hao-Jen Huang

• 09:10–11:50　The Role of Biological Carbon in Net-Zero Emissions / Associate Professor Pi-Ching Liang

• 11:00–11:50　The Role of Plant Carbon Pools in Global Food Security / Assistant Professor Shao-Yen Chen

• 13:30–15:10　Opportunities and Challenges of SDGs: Water Resources, Carbon Neutrality, and Circular Economy / Distinguished Professor Liang-Ming Huang

• 15:20–17:00　Environmental Science Inquiry into Plant Pollen / Assistant Professor Shao-Yen Chen

September 22 (Sun.)

• 08:50–10:30　The Role of Microorganisms in Carbon Sequestration / Associate Professor Chao-Li Huang

• 10:30–12:10　Agricultural Carbon Sequestration / Assistant Professor-level Expert, National Cheng Kung University Ya-Ling Lin

• 13:30–15:10　The Greenhouse Gas Crisis – Building a Climate-Friendly Campus / Professor Pao-Wen Liu

• 15:20–17:00　Exploring the Ecological Evolution of Plant Pollen / Assistant Professor Shao-Yen Chen

Source: Economic Daily News – Zhang Jie