• 2025-09-15

The first event of the OPEN Summer Lecture Series, “The Fantastic Visual World of Peter Pan: Exploration and Hands-on Practice with 3D Image Technologies” took place on July 26^th to great enthusiasm. NCL Director-General Han-ching Wang opened the event, lifting the curtain on this exciting series of events. Dr. Ming-fong Tai, National Tsinghua University Department of Physics Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Science Education Center was invited to teach the first class in the series. Professor Tai has rich experience in academic research and the promotion of science education. Her witty and lively lecture led participants in exploring the imaging principles and fascinating secrets behind 3D imaging as well as guiding participants in carefully designed hands-on experiments, transforming scientific knowledge into a living experience.

This year, National Central Library’s OPEN LAB Multimedia Center planned an “OPEN Seasonal Lectures” series, with focuses on science, the humanities, and maker culture. The series aims to create connections between scientific knowledge, humanitarian cultivation and maker spirit, collaborating with Universities and Vocational College education centers and popular science promotion centers. By integrating programs of lectures, classes, and lesson plan design, the series will lead members of the public in applying the knowledge they acquire, deepening learning outcomes, and expanding OPEN LAB’s functions and role in interdisciplinary learning and creativity.

The OPEN Summer Lecture Series worked with National Tsinghua University’s Interdisciplinary Science Education Center as a collaborating partner, organizing this season’s classes around the theme of the classic story of Peter Pan. Peter Pan is a classic character from literature who represents adventure, creativity, and limitless possibility. Flying amidst the stars, traveling between islands of dreams and fantasy nations, Peter Pan represents an unyielding curiosity toward all in the world that is unknown and unexplored. This lecture series hopes to soar upon wings of scientific exploration, with the maker’s spirit as its guiding compass, leading members of the public to take flight on a cross-disciplinary journey of knowledge and creativity.

Professor Tai started the class with a fun test for participants to discover if they are left-eye dominant or right-eye dominant or have no clear dominance, then further guided participants in understanding how we perceive three-dimensional images. It turns out the secrets behind 3D images are hidden in our own eyes and brains and how they work together! Next, Professor Tai brought out special glasses with red lenses for both eyes and led everyone in a creative art decoding experiment. By using different colors, irregular lines, and clever use of empty space, students created coded image artwork, each containing its own unique visual code. When red/blue glasses were brought out, participants were transported into a new 3D world! Not only did participants enjoy 3D artwork and videos from around the world, they also learned about the principles and interaction between red/blue glasses and three-dimensional images, leading to many cries of surprise and astonishment. Professor Tai also shared her special collection of topographic maps printed with 3D technology. Red/blue glasses brought images of topography from Mount Majestic in the US to Taiwan’s Jade Mountain ridgeline right in front of participants’ eyes, as if they were there in the flesh. Participants found these professionally printed images fascinating and irresistible, allowing them to experience the depth and layers of topographical formations.

The class ended with a final surprise: creating “northern lights chocolate” through the integration of optics and confectionery! Professor Tai used blank CDs to create diffraction gratings for participants to observe diffraction phenomena first hand, then they stamped melted chocolate with the images of the CD’s pits. After solidifying, the chocolate glitters with magnificent colors when light is reflected, creating beautiful images reminiscent of the northern lights!

This workshop’s integration of science, art, and the maker spirit inspired creative thinking and offered participants an afternoon of wonder and inspiration on a hot summer day. Throughout the class, Professor Tai’s whimsical teaching style brought out laughter and learning through wonder, deepening understanding through hands-on activities. Participants expressed that not only did this class give them a new understanding of the 3D visual world, it also inspired interest in science and maker culture.
 
The OPEN Seasonal Lectures series continues to offer classes on different topics, integrating science, humanities, and maker culture to guide participants in exploring unknown fields, opening limitless possibilities of creativity and knowledge.