British Science Week at Huili:
An Interconnected World
“I love that science explains the world around me. It’s everywhere. To me, science doesn’t just explain life, science is life.”
– Helen Sharman, Astronaut
British Science Week is an annual large-scale celebration of science in the UK organised by the British Science Association, aiming to raise the public’s attention to the development of science through science-related activities and experiments. It has different themes every year and the theme for 2023 is, ‘Connections’, advocating togetherness among people and increased attention to the connections in our surroundings. Interconnection is a strong power, and it is true to scientific investigations as we discover how connections exist across all areas of science. Evolution, for example, shows us the ways that animals, plants and bacteria are all connected through millions of years. Following the proud tradition of pursuing academic excellence at Wellington College UK, Huili School Hangzhou introduced British Science Week years ago and has held Science Week every year. Closely intertwined with our STEAM course, Science Week at Huili allows science learning to exceed textbook study and motivates pupils to dive into scientific exploration. This year, we adopted the same theme as British Science Week – ‘Connections’, and encouraged Huili pupils to think about the scientific theories that support towering buildings, thousand-year-old wooden bridges and soaring rockets through engaging experiments. We hope these activities help pupils to investigate the wide science world and reveal the essence behind a phenomenon.
Patricia McCusker
Primary School
Science Teacher
Connections was the theme for this year’s Science Week. It is an overarching theme which is open to many interpretations. Examples of this theme include the links of interdependence between the animal and plant kingdom; the Earth’s energy resources with the need for increased energy consumption due to human activity.
In Upper Primary, there were multiple activities during Science Week 2023. Some of which included a ‘Design a connections poster’, ‘Find the scientist’ and ‘Tell me a science fact!’ These activities were designed to promote research skills, communication skills and English oracy. It shows the connection built through communication. The school library also supported our Science Week and displayed science books and activities that students could engage with each day, an example of connection built by reading. The Greatest Science Kahoot also took place as a boarding activity, demonstrating connection from teamwork. In addition, special Science Week green dojos were created to encourage students to display scientific skills during the week’s activities, showing a connection constructed through days of learning.
Grade 3 and Grade 4
In lessons, Grade 3 and Grade 4 pupils worked in groups on a model-building STEAM project in which they were required to build a tower using plastic drinking straws in a limited time frame using a fixed number of straws. During the project, students were required to draw a design, and investigate what kind of structure is stable through testing and modelling. The project not only required students to apply what they have learned in science but also to use cooperation and teamwork skills among their members. This activity showcases the strength of teamwork and togetherness.
Sophia, Grade 3
I think it is a pretty fun experiment. The most important thing that it teaches us, is teamwork.
Cindy, Grade 4
I think that science week is very fun with lots of fun activities, and we can get green dojos for science facts. I think that it is really good.
Grade 5 and 6
The Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils took part in a fascinating STEAM project in which they were challenged to buy materials and build the model of the ‘slowest’ roller coaster within a limited time frame and on a limited budget. The science teacher played the role of shop owner and students had to order their materials. They were asked to investigate the friction-speed relationship and structural stability, be creative with the materials provided to accomplish the end goal and find ways to cut costs to maximise the length of time the marbles would roll on the track. We saw many interesting solutions in this activity, for example, some pupils used the tape side to reduce the rolling speed of the marbles, some used plastic bags of straws to make the rail guard, and other pupils used air clay to make speed bumps, all of which are very creative. From this we understand the many connections built.
Flora, Grade 5
In this Science week, we persevered and managed to make a functioning roller coaster. It taught me the importance of persistence, the value of trying different solutions, and trying to use what we have learned in reality in order to find the right one. Teamwork is essential in our experiment, too.
Ginevra, Bella and Rita, Grade 6
We had our own roles within the team, we worked well together and supported each other. We designed the clay addition to the roller coaster to slow down the marble. We had fun and enjoyed the project.
Immersing yourself in the activities of our Science Week is about making the most of what is learned by science and reaching experimental goals. Such independent learning leads to deeper understanding. During this year's Science Week, we inspired pupils to explore the connections prevailing in all areas of science, such as the connections of cells to tissues in biology, of elements to substances in chemistry, and how the parts of bridges form strong structures. This theme presents Huili pupils with a great opportunity to explore and offers meaning to explorations.
Pupils designed their posters on the theme of "connections" using their chosen topics on science. It allowed them to independently connect scientific knowledge with their daily life and widened their range of learning.
Air rocket
Everyone has had a dream of traveling into space and exploring the universe as a child. In recent years, China has seen continuous development in its aerospace industry, leaving more pupils to ponder how a rocket lifts off. Grade 7 pupils were challenged to design an air rocket that has the longest launching distance under the same launching conditions by using aerodynamics knowledge. Seeing their rockets set off, we felt like a new generation of Chinese youngsters is marching closer to their astronaut dream.
Pasta tower
A tower is built with the strong support of the mechanical structure. It needs to have a sufficient load-bearing capacity which requires rigorous calculation. One simple mistake might lead to a tilting tower or one that collapses easily. How do we build a tower that stands still and can weather the elements? Our Grade 8 pupils were tasked to build a tower using a pack of marshmallows and a pack of pasta. Congratulations to Grade 8A pupils who built a marshmallow tower nearly 2 meters high with thin pasta!
Wooden bridge
The Wanan Bridge in China was a wooden arch bridge built without nails, rivets or piers but stood still for nearly a thousand years. It was known as an architectural wonder of China. How do we see the connections and design part detail to build such a wooden arch bridge? What is the science behind such a building? Grade 9 pupils worked to build a strong bridge with rubber and wooden sticks, which was then tested to find its maximum load-bearing force. To optimise their design of the bridge, pupils actively used mechanical and mathematical knowledge, and deepened their understanding of traditional wooden bridges in China as well.
I think Science week is quite interesting. It is full of scientific knowledge in our activities, which makes the game less superficial and learning more interesting. In particular, the sector-brainstorming with the value of 30 house points before the class is extremely competitive. Of course, Science week is not just about that, but the most interesting part is the main event, the rockets! In class, the teacher taught us step by step how to make the main body of the rocket and where to insert our own ideas. When the production was finished, the teacher took us downstairs for the competition. Through this we know what kind of streamline and heavy rocket-head can make the rocket fly farther. We used some of the physics we have learned to help the rocket fly farther.
There were many fun experiments during this science week, such as building a tower using only marshmallows and pasta, and the winner is awarded to whoever built the tallest tower. It is a seemingly simple experiment, but to make the tower taller, there are still plenty of variables to consider carefully, such as the different weight-bearing capacities of the pasta and marshmallows. Although our team only took second place, the memory of such an interesting and thought-provoking experiment will be in my heart forever. I have experienced both the fun and practicality of science from science week and my love for science is deepened.
The activities of Science Week are a good embodiment of STEAM and PBL curriculum. Student-led, problem-solving oriented, using the scientific knowledge learned, brainstorming and thinking about the feasibility of the project. Learning science is never on paper but practiced out of real knowledge, through the continuous optimisation of the project, so that the project is to achieve the best results.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. At Huili, we are proud to have an outstanding academic team that inspires our pupils to explore science and challenge themselves. Our science teaching results are quite rewarding - in their first participation in some global science competitions, Huili pupils have achieved excellent results - 36 junior high pupils became proud award winners, among whom 27 were awarded global awards. These included 3 Global Golds, 6 Global Silvers and 11 Global Bronzes, in the science related international competitions. Junior Physics Challenge, Junior Canadian Chemistry Olympiad, Junior Science Olympiad Exam and You Be The Chemist Challenge are just some of the exciting events our pupils participated in. It is testament to the hard work of our pupils and Huili’s pursuit of academic excellence. As a member of Wellington College Hangzhou, Huili School Hangzhou continues marching on its journey of pursing academic excellence and supporting the well-rounded development of our pupils. Join us here at Huili – it is a place that allows one to become a better version of themselves.
