Recently, kindergartens such as Yigaomeiyu, Shakespeare, Zhang Yi, and Tongyantongyu from Hsinchu’s private sector, led by their principals, brought along about a thousand parents and children to “Mintong Happy Farm” in Dongshan Township, Yilan, for a one-day trip that combined high-end technology with natural ecology.
The event kicked off with a welcome performance by the “Magabahai” Indigenous art troupe, blending traditional and modern dance. Meanwhile, the farm also invited many professional teams to join in the fun. For example, teachers and students from Taipei City University of Science and Technology launched a high-altitude balloon on the farm. The balloon was equipped with various cameras and communication devices, allowing users to view its path, altitude, temperature, humidity, and pressure through an app, as well as live footage transmitted from the balloon. In addition, there was a radio fox hunting activity where parents guided their children to use antennas to locate the source of signals based on audio types and signal strength. Such activities not only engaged both parents and children in science education but also helped strengthen the parent-child bond.
In addition, the “Orienteering Maze,” led by the Taiwan Orienteering Association, was also quite meaningful. It allowed children to use maps to learn how to find the right direction and embark on an exciting treasure hunt, thereby training their sense of orientation.
The AI robots brought by the Vertical Artificial Intelligence Business School were equally popular. With multiple pop songs playing in the background, the robots danced nimbly, getting parents and children to sing and dance along. Some parents and children even asked the instructor how to write programs to control the robots.
The highlight of the day was the hundred-meter-long Rainbow Water Play Path. The water play area was filled with various pools and water guns that kids love, and both big and small kids joined in the water fights with great enthusiasm. Everyone was immersed in the lively fun. Science education and nature-based activities are set to be important directions for the future development of leisure farms in Taiwan.