As part of the Ministry of Education's University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative, "Teaching for Rural Communities: Building the Qigu Rural Education Hub 4.0," National University of Tainan (NUTN) organized a summer English and technology camp at Shulin Elementary School in Qigu District, Tainan, from August 3 to 5, 2026. Led by Professor Chun-Ping Wu of the Department of Education and NUTN teacher education students, the program integrated English learning with local agriculture, fisheries, food education, technology, and environmental studies. By connecting classroom learning with students' everyday surroundings, the camp encouraged children to explore their hometown while developing English communication, observation, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
The program was designed around the local industries featured in Shulin Elementary School's flexible school-based curriculum. NUTN teacher education students transformed Qigu's agricultural, fishing, and wetland resources into engaging learning activities.
The first day focused on agriculture. In "Protecting Qigu's Green Gem," students used technology to explore the cultivation of muskmelons while learning about Qigu's natural environment, agricultural development, and local industry. The activity "Small Sesame, Big Discoveries" introduced students to the growth, uses, and nutritional value of sesame through storytelling, followed by a hands-on food education activity in which students made sesame cookies.
The second day explored milkfish culture and aquatic ecosystems. Through "The Amazing Journey of Milkfish," students learned about the characteristics and life cycle of milkfish, food chains, and the reasons Qigu has become an important milkfish-producing region. The lesson also introduced the concept of agrivoltaics, as well as Qigu's milkfish cultural festival, before inviting students to use clay to create their own milkfish-inspired dishes.
In the afternoon, "The Night Heron and Milkfish Survival Challenge" combined role-playing and games to introduce students to food chains and ecological relationships. By taking on the roles of different organisms, students experienced the challenges of survival within interconnected natural ecosystems.
The third day focused on wetlands and environmental sustainability. In "Wetland Explorers," students learned about the formation, characteristics, and ecological functions of wetlands, as well as the plants and animals that inhabit them. Through games and exploration, they developed a greater awareness of environmental conservation. In "Memory Puzzle," students used agriculture, fisheries, and wetlands as creative themes to produce collages reflecting the distinctive character of Qigu.
The camp concluded with the "Good Times in Shulin" challenge course, where students reviewed what they had learned through games, teamwork, and mission-based activities. The interactive format reinforced learning while creating a memorable and enjoyable summer experience.
Professor Yin Ouyang of the Department of Education, principal investigator of the USR project, explained that "Teaching for Rural Communities" is committed not only to supporting children in rural areas but also to providing meaningful professional learning opportunities for future teachers. By entering rural classrooms and participating in curriculum development, teaching material preparation, activity design, and instruction, NUTN teacher education students can translate their university learning into authentic educational practice while gaining a deeper understanding of local culture and the needs of rural schools.
Participating NUTN teacher education students noted that the experience taught them how to incorporate Qigu's industries and cultural heritage into classroom activities. They also gained a deeper appreciation that education is more than the transmission of knowledge—it can begin with children's familiar experiences and help them build meaningful connections with their communities.
For students at Shulin Elementary School, the camp offered opportunities to learn about Qigu's agriculture, fisheries, and wetlands through hands-on activities, games, and challenges. The students described the experience as both enjoyable and engaging and expressed their hope of meeting NUTN teacher education students again to discover more stories about their hometown.
NUTN will continue to deepen its partnerships with rural schools through its USR initiatives, combining university expertise with local educational needs to provide diverse learning opportunities and support. At the same time, these initiatives enable NUTN's future teachers to gain practical experience and develop a stronger understanding of community-based education. By accompanying rural children as they explore the world while starting from their own hometown, NUTN continues to demonstrate how higher education can connect teacher education, local culture, community engagement, and social responsibility to create broader possibilities for learning.