Igniting Curiosity: STEAM Week at CISK

At Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK), learning is never confined to textbooks. As an IB World School serving students from Nursery to DP, we believe that the best inquiries happen at the interdiv of disciplines. This was on full display during our annual STEAM Week —a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Our youngest learners in Early Years explored cause and effect through hands-on building and exploration, while our Grade 5 students presented sophisticated projects that integrated science, technology, and art. STEAM is not an "add-on" at CISK; it is a vital thread woven into our transdisciplinary PYP curriculum, preparing students to become innovative problem-solvers in a rapidly changing world.

A highlight of the week was an inspiring visit from two very special members of our CISK community: retired physicist and renowned author Professor Zafar Iqbar, alongside CISK parent and community member Professor Yeshim Iqbar. Our Grades 4 and 5 students were treated to an unforgettable afternoon of interactive experiments that brought physics and engineering to life. From exciting physical phenomenons to thought-provoking demonstrations on energy and motion, Professor Iqbar captivated our young scientists, leaving them buzzing with enthusiasm. The energy in the room was palpable—students weren't just learning about science; they were doing science, asking bold questions, and dreaming of future careers in STEM.

在昆山加拿大外籍人员子女学校（CISK），学习从不局限于课本之中。作为一所覆盖幼儿园至大学预科项目（DP）的IB世界学校，我们相信，最有价值的探究往往发生在学科交汇之处。这一理念在一年一度的STEAM周得到了充分体现——这是一次关于好奇心、创造力与批判性思维的集中展示。

在幼儿阶段，最年幼的学生通过动手搭建与探索，理解因果关系；而五年级的学生则展示了融合科学、技术与艺术的综合性项目。在CISK，STEAM并不是“附加内容”，而是贯穿于PYP跨学科课程中的重要脉络，帮助学生在快速变化的世界中成长为具有创新能力的问题解决者。

本周的一大亮点，是两位CISK社区重要成员的到访：退休物理学家、知名作家Zafar Iqbar教授，以及CISK家长、社区成员Yeshim Iqbar教授。四至五年级的学生度过了一个难忘的下午，通过一系列互动实验，让物理与工程“活”了起来。从充满趣味的物理现象，到关于能量与运动的启发式演示，Iqbar教授深深吸引了学生们的注意力，激发了他们对科学的热情。现场气氛十分热烈——学生们不仅是在学习科学，更是在实践科学、提出大胆的问题，并开始畅想未来的STEM发展方向。