Based on inquiry-based teaching philosophy and methods, in order to improve people's environmental awareness and convey the concept of sustainable development, during the Chinese Immersion Week 2023, a thematic learning event themed “Our Green Planet: Exploring Ways to Protect the Environment” was held at BMH. In this event, students from primary and secondary school conducted exploration and study by grade around environmental protection issues, and used practical actions to contribute to the earth’s protection. Come and take a look with us!
Real problems drive learning
The concept of "ecological civilization" was written into the Chinese Constitution in 2018, becoming one of the trendsetters for China's social development. China’s achievements in environmental protection over the past few decades are commendable.
However, in the summer of 2023, the first large-scale discharge of nuclear-contaminated water in the history of human using nuclear energy caused heated environmental protection debate again around the world, including issues such as food safety, marine pollution, and the impact of radioactive materials on human health.
Thinking ability is the most direct manifestation of human beings' ability to understand and transform the world. Based on these real environmental protection issues, the students, inspired by the teachers, tried to learn to look at all kinds of information after environmental issues were highlighted more rationally and objectively, analyze the speculative meaning behind the news, and improve their independent thinking and logical expression abilities. The confident “researchers” set sail one by one.
*New research by students
Continuous exploration
and deep learning
With the help of teachers, the students identified two exploration paths: natural development and protection, and formed different learning groups. Based on the key learning points of Chinese, mathematics, science, history, geography, politics and other related knowledge and skills, they focused on inquiry themes and carried out.
Lower-grades students transformed into "agricultural experts" and explored how humans utilize and develop natural resources from the perspectives of China's farming civilization, agricultural resource development, and food safety. They initially gained an understanding of the role that the natural environment plays in traditional human survival and development, as well as the sustainable development concept of respecting nature and symbiosis with nature represented by the Chinese ancestors.
Senior students become "industrial experts", focusing on scientific and technological inventions, future urban construction, marine protection and resource development, international cooperation and other perspectives, and put forward solutions to the difficult problem of how to balance the needs of social development and nature protection after humans enter modern society. Solutions for future world builders.
The sustainable development of nature is even more inseparable from the sustainable development of human beings. After entering the information age, the rapid development of society has also compressed people's definition of health to a certain extent. Various health problems occur frequently and which can affect the old and young alike. However, good physique, broad mindedness, and healthy interpersonal relationships are the source of motivation for us to face challenges. To this end, the PE teachers also led the students in the school to explore a broader definition of "sustainable development" in the field of personal life from the perspectives of cultivating teamwork awareness, building frustration resistance, personal nutrition and healthy exercise.
The rich learning and exploration experience inspired students’ strong desire to express themselves independently. Students from various study groups gave full play to their imagination and creativity and used waste items to produce various handicrafts, such as food-themed creative paintings, environmentally friendly fashions, future city models, water purifiers, etc., demonstrating their understanding of environmental protection.
Expand thinking
and extend learning
The birth of an "expert" in any industry is inseparable from one's own hard work and struggle step by step. Environmental protection not only requires us to establish a big picture of looking up at the stars and having the world in mind, but also requires us to establish a correct concept of learning and develop our own abilities by doing things in our daily lives down-to-earth. On the last day of this study week, the students, with the joint support of the school's faculty and staff, launched an "Environmental Guardian Challenge" activity. The students focused on the four core subjects of this study week: literary, mathematical thinking, scientific wisdom, and physical fitness. In a game-like situation, they used two-dimensional subject knowledge and skills to become more three-dimensional and diverse. Problem-solving tools enhance students’ understanding of learning - learning is not just about a textbook in the classroom, but also about the vast world of the real world.
Along with the students' environmental exploration activities in full swing, knowledgeable and caring parents also actively supported the children in practising environmental protection concepts. After several months of material collection, cleaning and sorting, material distribution, etc., under the organization of P5 parents of BMH, the second-hand clothes of "Clothes Cycle, Love Cycle" have finally reached the hands of those in need, allowing this gift from the warmth and love in Shenzhen bloom in the cold wind of the Western Sichuan Plateau.
*Thanks to P5A Coco Wang's Mum、P5B Macqueen Wang's Mum, Kevin Huang, Balance Yang, Sophia Liu, Milly Huang，Summer Zhu，Tracy Liu，Frankie An
Sustainable development, ecological civilization, environmental protection...all require us to take persistent actions. Through the children’s learning in this Chinese Week, we also hope to radiate the power of education to more BMH community members and families, integrate environmental protection concepts into daily life, and gradually realize the beautiful vision of green life and sustainable development. To this end, all BMH students, parents and other community members can also choose to participate in the "BMH Environmental Marathon" and use practical actions to protect our common home - the Earth. If you are willing to challenge yourself, you are welcome to scan the QR code on the poster to register! We will announce the challenge winners and issue certifications on Earth Day in 2024.
Chinese Immersion Week is a unique brand event of BMH Chinese-based teaching. We continue to focus on China’s contemporary development, driven by real social issues. Through interdisciplinary thematic inquiry teaching activities, we guide students to pay attention to real life scenarios, develop students’ Chinese feelings and world vision, and improve their comprehensive literacy (welcome to click below link to view highlights from previous years).
Thematic learning activities year after year may be short in duration, but they are of great significance. The setting up of the Chinese immersion week not only reflects the broad vision of BMH in building courses with Chinese characteristics, but also reflects that BMH actively plays its social function as an international school rooted in China and effectively assumes the responsibility of educating people in social responsibility. Amid the laughter of children and the warm winter sun in Shenzhen, the 2023 Chinese Immersion Week has come to an end for the time being. We know that a seed of learning has been planted in this winter, waiting for the arrival of spring. Then let us be filled with this confidence and see you next year!
