news source: <Kaohsiung City Government Education Bureau>

The 113th academic year Kaohsiung-Pingtung Regional Collaborative Schools Achievement Exchange Conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Education's "Cross-disciplinary Aesthetic Education Excellence Pilot Program," commenced on June 13th at Fushan Elementary School in Kaohsiung City. Twenty collaborating schools from Kaohsiung and Pingtung gathered to review the teaching journeys of their teachers over the past academic year and showcase the deep cultivation and innovation of aesthetic education within cross-disciplinary curriculum. The course presentations were rich and diverse, and through sharing of practical experiences and inter-school dialogue and exchange, they infused the classroom with a vibrant energy of innovation and art.

Professor Zhao Huiling, the project's director, stated in her opening remarks, "Amidst the rapid development of AI technology, the nourishment of the human soul through art is irreplaceable." Teachers from various schools shared their creative teaching methods, skillfully integrating aesthetic education with academic curriculum to stimulate students' observation, expression, and imagination. Qishan Elementary School in Kaohsiung City used 5G VR devices to immerse children in "Ocean Sounds," allowing them to experience the beauty of nature and explore environmental issues. Fushan Elementary School in Kaohsiung, with the theme of "Variations on Myself," engaged the students in composing their own personal rhythms through a multi-sensory feast of color, taste, and music. Xinshang Elementary School in Kaohsiung City created the "Xinshang Art Museum," connecting community outings, food and agriculture education, and gender issues. Dacheng Art Experimental Elementary School in Pingtung County mobilized the entire school for the "Land Art Festival," creating a collaborative learning environment for children and artists, connecting local communities with international dialogue.

During the event, representatives from various schools also shared a number of distinctive local cultural courses. Pingtung Elementary School explored the skills of various crafts, combining visual poetry with body movements to allow children to interpret local industry stories from their own perspectives; Hengchun Elementary School in Pingtung County led students to care for their hometown environment, singing Hengchun's unique peninsula folk songs to express their memories and humanistic emotions about this land.

After each school's presentation, Professor Deng Zongsheng, a longtime member of the Teacher Training Committee, provided detailed responses and suggestions to each school. A comprehensive discussion followed, where teachers shared their teaching experiences and challenges, sparking new innovations in their learning. The event also included a hands-on workshop on "Plate Aesthetics," with Chef Li Jiaming demonstrating the art of plating. Drawing on culinary culture, the workshop guided teachers to appreciate the aesthetic details of everyday life through design and implementation, integrating aesthetic education into daily life.

Through this achievement sharing session in the Kaohsiung and Pingtung regions, the Ministry of Education will continue to support the growth and connection of professional teacher communities in various regions. Professor Gao Zhenfeng, the co-project leader, also encouraged more schools on site to participate in aesthetic education, allowing art and education to intersect and ferment in more corners, and transform into a beautiful force to support students' growth.