Interviewing the Magistrate Chen Mingwen

◎Yu-chen: How did the sixth generation landmark become the Solar Exploration Center?
Chen: Before the Solar Exploration Center was constructed, it used to be a very dirty place with weeds growing everywhere and a parking lot for Shueishang township’s garbage trucks. Since the Tropic of Cancer was originally our landmark here, we reconstructed it as the Solar Exploration Center to make people understand the meaning of the Tropic of Cancer and 23.5 degrees. It becomes a museum merged with education and life.

◎Yu-shan: What makes the Solar Exploration Center different from National Museum of Natural Science?
Chen: National Museum of Natural Science has more static displays while the Solar Exploration Center provides exhibitions about science education and devices for people to operate. It also holds many seminars about science and stool concert on holidays. These activities are closer to people’s lives and more exciting.

◎Rou-hua: The Solar Exploration Center has become an important sightseeing spot in Chiayi County. What do you think of its meaning and importance? How do you expect its future development?
Chen:

(1)The Solar Exploration Center highlights the importance that Shueishang Township in Chiayi County is the place where the sun shines directly at 23.5 degrees on earth. This landmark is owned exclusively by Chiayi County.
(2) The Solar Exploration should not restricted to merely a park or landmark. In the future, we hope the Center can be developed toward multiple ways. It can be a good place for residents of Chiayi County to enjoy their leisure and learn astronomical science.

◎Ya-zhen: In the process of analyzing the questionnaires, we drew some suggestions from the students and the community people about the Center:

1. The activities held by the Solar Exploration Center in the past six months have made people happy and proud of being residents of Chiayi County.
2. People are satisfied with the art and literature activities on holidays.
3. It is suggested that children’s amusement devices be added to make it fun for people to visit.

Chen: We are considering some amusement devices to combine science and games.

◎Are you going to grow more trees here?

Chen: Planting trees could be a problem because there is not enough space. However, we will take it into consideration.