As the pandemic has impacted many aspects of society, virtual learning has become one of the most viable options to limit disruption on children’s education. Science Switch is an offshoot of "Making Science Make Sense" program, which Bayer and OUCRU have been running since 2018. 

The project aims to reach at least 100,000 youngsters, science educators, and inquisitive individuals in the country to access scientific knowledge in an engaging and interactive digital format. This is one of Bayer Vietnam’s continuing efforts to invest in the next generation and advance scientific education in Vietnam.

A key component of this new phase is the launching of the "Science Switch" online channel, which is a major leap forward for the project as a whole in terms of teaching, engaging, and motivating the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists, as well as Vietnamese inventors.

The "Science Switch'' educational channel will include activities based on three modes of learning: Science Videos (doing), Science Comics (reading), and Science Podcasts (listening). These activities will be published weekly on OUCRU’s fanpage Khoa Hoc Truong Hoc and other Facebook pages in order to reach out to young people and empower them by accessing knowledge, practicing science and interacting with peers and scientists. While developing and producing material for the "Science Switch", the project engages professional researchers and scientists to provide consultation and guidance as well as directly produce content to improve learning outcomes and efficiency.

Mr. Vu Duy Thanh, OUCRU’s Manager of the Schools Engagement and Youth Science Program, shared: “OUCRU and Bayer aim to bring science closer to students, teachers, parents and inquisitive individuals via the "Making Science Make Sense" project. More specifically with the virtual scientific education platform "Science Switch", we hope to present more opportunities for students nationwide to access scientific knowledge that is in line with the current educational landscape and trends. Therefore, nurturing and increasing their interest in science.” 

The Science Adventure project was inspired by Bayer's "Making Science Make Sense" program and has been executed in Long An and Ho Chi Minh City by OUCRU and Bayer Vietnam since 2018. The project has reached approximately 12,000 kids and educators to date. 

Throughout all these activities, project organizers will keep their ears open to feedback and comments from young participants to improve the platform. Each year, the initiative will host a "Meet the Scientists'' conference, which will provide an opportunity for professionals, children, and parents to enter into a dialogue and discuss future activities of the “Making Science Make Sense” project.

A student who participated in the project shared: “Digital platforms and social media networks are slowly becoming an integral part of our lives. Aside from using the internet for online learning, watching shows and playing games, the launch of a virtual education platform like “Science Switch” is really useful and I think it will inspire many students to learn. I have watched the demo content of the project and I believe that students, as well as teachers and parents, will be able to find interesting information and acquire new knowledge when the project officially launched.”

In the year 2021-2022, the topics and curriculum for "Science Switch" have been curated based on the United Nations' "One Health" concept. The concept follows a transdisciplinary paradigm that emphasizes the connection between human and animal science, as well as our natural environment, to achieve the ultimate health outcomes.