New Taipei opens Da Guan Technology Center

新北啟用達觀科技園區

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei opened its Da Guan Technology Center on Friday to teach elementary and junior high school students about coding and drones, according to a press release.

A programmed drone formation opened the event. Elementary students competed using small drone balls, while junior high students took part in a more advanced brushless-drone competition.

The city’s education department said it is New Taipei’s first technology center spanning elementary and junior high school education. Elementary school pupils receive hands-on instruction involving sea, land, and air drones, while junior high students study AI, coding, and systems integration.

Da Guan Elementary and Junior High School Principal Lin Tsai-I (林才乂) said the center uses a cross-level approach to encourage cooperation between elementary and junior high students. He added that the city aims to establish a drone soccer league connecting all districts.

Education Department Commissioner Chang Ming-wen (張明文) said technology centers hold teacher-training workshops, student camps, and curriculum-development programs. New Taipei, Jui-Fang, Tamsui, Ku Pao, and Juang Jing vocational high schools also offer drone-related courses.

The department said the third Taiwan Technology Education Cup New Taipei Regional Open Tournament recently recorded the highest participation in a drone competition nationwide. It added that the city will use its 11 maker education and technology centers as regional bases for drone education and plans to establish drone soccer practice facilities.