2026 Covestro Grandparent-Grandchild Science Camp Strengthens Family Bonds Through Hands-On Experiments

“Grandma’s Magic Kitchen,” “Grandchildren’s Wonderland,” and “Grandpa’s Secret Garden” are three themes Covestro designed from the perspectives of both grandparents and grandchildren, rotating on a three-year cycle. Within each year’s theme, the camp continues to introduce new science experiments drawn from daily life, keeping the experience varied and fresh. 

“Covestro Taiwan has held the Grandparent-Grandchild Science Camp for several years now, and it has become much loved by the families who join,” said Annie Chen, Managing Director of Covestro Taiwan. “This year, we planned three brand-new experiments for ‘Grandpa’s Secret Garden.’ Through the camp, we bring scientific imagination to grandparents and grandchildren, and spark a kind of chemistry between them. We’ve noticed that some participants register year after year, which tells us they enjoy and connect with what we’re doing, finding joy each year in working through new experiments together and completing the challenges as a team. Their enthusiasm lets us truly feel the lasting impact this science and inclusion-focused program has across generations. We’d like to thank the Taipei City Government, Changhua County Government and Pingtung County Government for their continued support in advancing family and social well-being through science.” 

In the “Butterfly Pea Flower Dyeing” experiment, grandparents and grandchildren watched together as natural anthocyanins shifted color before their eyes, prompting gasps of surprise. In “Summer Snowflakes,” polymer materials absorbed water and transformed into snow-like shapes, letting participants build a snowman together in the middle of summer heat. The “Steady Hand Circuit Game” asked grandparents to draw on their own knowledge of electrical circuits while grandchildren helped guide steady hands through the challenge, a small task that called for patience from both sides. Each family took its finished experiment home, effectively a keepsake that lets them revisit the teamwork, communication and shared pride built during their time together. 

Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an said: “The distance between grandparents and grandchildren often widens after children enter elementary school, and intergenerational interaction and dialogue gradually develop gaps due to differences in learning pace and content. To bridge intergenerational distances, promote lifelong learning, and foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society, Taipei City Government continues to partner with Covestro Taiwan in hosting the grandparent-grandchild science camp. In ‘Grandpa’s Secret Garden,’ grandparents and grandchildren enjoy exclusive joyful moments together, with experimental processes incorporating grandparents’ wisdom and experience, allowing children to learn while getting to know their elders better.” 

Dr. Eva Langerbeck, Chief Representative & Executive Director of German Trade Office Taipei who also attended the event on the Double Ninth Day stated: "Meaningful science education is about more than simply sharing knowledge - it is about creating opportunities to explore, learn, and grow together. Seeing grandparents and grandchildren work side by side to complete each experiment, building trust through teamwork and creating lasting memories through shared experiences, is what makes this program truly special. It also reflects the long-term commitment of German companies to education, families, and sustainable social development." 

The camp’s design follows a spiral learning approach: “Grandpa’s Secret Garden” starts with grandparents and grandchildren observing the scientific secret in garden plants, then gradually introduces new materials and scientific principles, always grounded in the kind of science which participants might encounter in a courtyard or in daily life. 

Several grandparents pointed to the value of working through a failed attempt together and eventually getting an experiment right. Others noted that reading fine scale markings during measurements was often a job requiring grandchildren’s help, a telling sign of how important collaboration was during the sessions. Grandchildren, for their part, said they were surprised by how much their grandparents could help solve problems along the way. One granddaughter, soon to graduate from elementary school, came with her grandmother specifically to experience the camp one more time before moving on. 

This year’s curriculum was developed by Covestro Taiwan together with Golden Tripod Award winner Professor Liang-Rong Hsu and his team member Tiffany Chen. Head of Department of Social Affairs in Changhua County, Lan-Hsin Wang, Head of Department of Social Affairs in Pingtung County, Mei-Shu Liu, and Director of Taipei City Family Education Center of the Taipei City Department of Education also attended at the camps to witness the sparkles from intergenerational scientific engagements.