The 2026 Taiwan Science Train officially departed from Taipei Main Station today, marking the start of a six-day science journey across Taiwan. Executive Yuan Minister Without Portfolio Wu Cheng-wen and Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-jing joined other distinguished guests at the opening ceremony. Continuing its participation this year, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) is bringing communications technology into the train carriages through four interactive experiments inspired by everyday applications. Designed to help elementary school students understand how digital technologies work and shape everyday life, the activities introduce key concepts in information transmission, human-computer interaction, sensor-based control, and communications security through hands-on exploration.

Organized by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Science Train brings together government agencies, academic and research institutions, businesses, and local partners to promote science education through cross-sector collaboration. This year's event, themed "Open the Door, Enter the Future," runs from October 19 to 24, making 30 stops across 18 cities and counties in Taiwan. As the train travels around the island, MODA is turning familiar technologies, including smartphones, the Internet, and smart devices, into engaging science activities that help students understand how digital technology is woven into daily life.

ADI Director-General Joins Students for Hands-On Experiments

Following the opening ceremony, Lin Jiunn-shiow, Director-General of the Administration for Digital Industries (ADI), boarded the Science Train and joined students in an interactive activity called "Magic Circuits at Your Fingertips." Using a touch-sensitive module that detects tiny changes in the body's electrical capacitance, the experiment allows participants to switch an LED light on and off with a simple touch of a finger. Building on the familiar experience of using a smartphone, the activity introduces students to the principles of human-computer interaction behind touchscreens, turning an abstract technological concept into something they can see and explore firsthand.

Three additional activities are featured in MODA's carriage: Remote Light Control, Lights On When Darkness Falls, and Encrypted Communication. Through demonstrations of electromagnetic induction, photoresistors, and radio waves,  students learn about contactless communication technologies and applications such as EasyCard, along with basic concepts in sensor-based control, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity. Together, the four experiments show students how the digital services they use every day rely on a range of underlying communications and sensing technologies.

Building Digital Safety Awareness from an Early Age: Learning to Prevent Scams

Alongside its communications activities, MODA is also incorporating scam prevention education into the Science Train experience. Under the theme "Stop Scams in Their Tracks," an interactive quiz guides students through three simple steps to stay safe from scams: Don't rush, stay alert, and always verify. Through real-life scenarios and questions, students learn to stay calm when encountering suspicious messages, recognize potential warning signs, and always verify information before taking action. The activity turns online safety concepts into practical knowledge that students can apply in their daily lives.

MODA emphasizes that communications technology must do more than simply deliver messages. It must also be stable, reliable, and secure. Through the Science Train, complex concepts in communications technology and digital security are brought to life through accessible, hands-on experiments and interactive activities. These experiences encourage students to observe, ask questions, and develop safe technology habits from an early age, helping them become not only confident technology users but also informed individuals who understand the principles behind the technologies they use.

As digital technology continues to advance, fostering young people's understanding of and interest in technology is essential to developing the next generation of digital talent. MODA will continue to promote digital technology education and talent development through collaboration across government agencies and partnerships among industry, academia, and research institutions. By encouraging students to explore the digital world through experiments and inquiry, MODA aims to spark curiosity and build the digital literacy needed to thrive in an increasingly digital society.