2017 International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Event Recap

Fang-Fei Chou | Chemistry Teacher, Taipei First Girls High School

In recognition of the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association (TWiST) organized Taiwan’s first event supporting the international observance and promoting the contributions of women in science and technology.

As TWiST President Shun-Lien Song stated:

“Resources, collaboration, and the engagement of girls, women, and government made this campaign possible. Our goal is to influence policy. Taiwan needs science, and science needs women.”

Introduction to the 2017 International Day of Women and Girls in Science Event

Background

Taiwan had recently experienced several chemical-related disasters, including the Formosa Fun Coast dust explosion, the Federal Tyres factory fire, school laboratory explosions, a calcium carbide explosion at a fruit stall, and household kitchen fires.

To help prevent similar explosions and fires and promote safer living and working environments, the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association (TWiST) invited experts and industry professionals from firefighting, chemistry, electromechanical engineering, and information technology to design this event. The program aimed to increase public understanding of household chemicals and flammable materials while teaching essential fire prevention and fire safety knowledge.

Event Overview

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science event brought together government, industry, academia, education, and business. Participants could see and handle actual firefighting equipment provided by the Fire Safety Museum of Taipei City Fire Department while receiving guidance from professional fire safety instructors.

The event also featured interactive science challenges led by students from Taipei First Girls High School serving as young fire safety volunteers. Participants completed hands-on activities about fire safety through experiments featuring engaging sound and visual effects suitable for all ages.

Because the event coincided with the Lantern Festival, HEX Safety designed a lantern-riddle game featuring fire safety knowledge and emergency evacuation technology. The diverse program gave every participant a rewarding and educational experience.

Opening Ceremony

Taiwan’s First Fire Safety Volunteer Program

Event Activities

TWiST Service Desk

• Collect a challenge card

• Redeem a prize after completing the challenges

Guided Activities at the Fire Safety Museum of Taipei City Fire Department

• Fire-extinguishing experience

• Smoke evacuation experience

Fire Safety Science Stations Led by Taipei First Girls High School

• Understanding the fire triangle: match-lighting skills, making gel fuel, and burning sugar cubes

• Where does black smoke come from? Incomplete combustion of acetylene gas

• High-efficiency combustion and high-temperature gas explosions: complete combustion of acetylene gas

• Explosive alcohol vapor: alcohol cannon demonstration

HEX Safety Activity Stations

• Lantern riddles on fire evacuation knowledge

• Fire safety board game provided by the New Taipei City Fire Department

Guests at the Opening Ceremony

• All current and former directors and supervisors of the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association (TWiST)

• Jun-Hong Wu, Commissioner of the Taipei City Fire Department

• Chi-Chung Chuang, Director of the Fire Safety Museum of Taipei City Fire Department

• Wu-Tai Wu, Director of the Rescue Division, National Fire Agency

• Yi-Cheng Lin, Chief of the Fire Investigation Division, Taipei City Fire Department

• Li-Kai Hsiao, Chief of the Sixth District Brigade, New Taipei City Fire Department

• Shih-Feng Kao, Chairperson of the Fire Protection Association

• Chin-Hung Lin, former Director of the Fire Prevention Promotion Division, National Fire Agency

• Shih-Jui Yang, Principal of Taipei First Girls High School; Section Chief Li-Fen Chan; and Teacher Yung-Chi Chang

• The Chairperson and all employees of HEX Safety

• Su-Ching Lai, former Chairperson and current Board Member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Taiwan

• Chemistry teachers from Taipei City and New Taipei City

Acknowledgments and Future Outlook

Taiwan’s first event celebrating the February 11 International Day of Women and Girls in Science was a lively and successful collaboration. We thank TWiST for creating a platform that brought together government, industry, academia, education, and business. We also sincerely appreciate the organizers and supporting organizations for contributing significant time and resources, as well as the fire departments of Taipei City and New Taipei City for helping Taiwan successfully hold this internationally connected event.

Special thanks go to TWiST members and their families and friends, who contributed funds, time, and volunteer support. Volunteers brought expertise from firefighting, chemistry, electromechanical engineering, information technology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and administration. Following the Lunar New Year holiday, everyone worked intensively each day to prepare for the February 11 event. Through this collaboration, we learned and grew together while promoting fire safety and protecting lives and property. We look forward to continuing our efforts for the 2018 International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Let’s keep moving forward! ♥

This article was republished from TWiST Newsletter, Issue 110—February 15, 2017.