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.

Getting 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 (broadcast) as his character because he wants to be a video game live streamer. Another who likes drawing put

(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 invited three members of Jiao Tong University crosstalk club to give shows on science topics, teaching science through laughter. One of the 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 good practice for children to experience a different, more vivid learning and teaching environment. It had been a day they would remember for a very long time.

Meanwhile, at the natural history museum, a class from Yucai Junior High were learning why and how birds 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 understand how a giraffe walks.

Gu Qingsheng, deputy curator of the science and technology museum, said the museums’ excellent educational resources dovetailed well with conventional education, driving student’s passion and the spirits of experimentation and exploration.