Thinking out of the box, and out of the classroom
Pupils from Erlian Primary School, Yangpu District, made their mark at the Science and Technology Museum yesterday afternoon when they designed and made their own personal seals in a 3D printing class.
"First Class for a New Semester" is a program that takes primary and secondary students to the science and natural history museums and nine other science venues.
Coming out of the classroom gives students and teachers alike a new enthusiasm for teaching and learning.
On their computers, the fourth graders chose whatever Chinese characters took their fancy and modelled a seal based on their choice. One boy chose Bo (broadcast) as his character because he wants to be a video game live streamer. Another who likes drawing put Hua (draw) on his design. The 3D printer soon rendered their computer simulations into actual seals, providing an instant gratification that seemed almost magical.
The museum has also invited three members of Jiao Tong University crosstalk club to give shows on science topics, teaching teaching the science through laughter. One of shows, on intelligent manufacturing, recently won a competition organized by the local science and technology association.
"I like science and enjoy coming up with small inventions," said He Houyi, a pupil with the school. He said from "Four New Great Inventions" he learned that China now has four great inventions for the new era: high-speed rail, mobile payments, online shopping and shared bikes. "In school we are a bit reserved but here we can be more relaxed and learning science is more fun. "
His teacher Ma Yujie said it was a good practice for children to experience a different, more vivid learning and teaching environment. It had been a day they would remember fora very long time.
Meanwhile, at the natural history museum, a class from Yucai Junior High were learning why birds can fly and how they fly. "It's really interesting! I used a magnifying glass to examine the ostrich and owl feathers and felt the difference by touching," said Ding Weiye. Other students compared the leg bones of humans and giraffes to undrstand how a giraffe walks.
Gu Qingsheng, deputy curator of the science and technology museum, said museum excellent educational resources dovetailed well with conventional education to drive student's interests and the spirits of experimentation and exploration.
Pupils from Erlian Primary School are designing their own 3D printing seals at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.
Students from Shanghai Yucai Junior High School are doing projects at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
Students from Shanghai Yucai Junior High School are doing projects at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
A male student from Shanghai Yucai Junior High School are doing projects at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
Students from Shanghai Yucai Junior High School are doing projects at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
Students from Shanghai Yucai Junior High School are doing projects at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
Students from Shanghai Yucai Junior High School are doing projects at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
