ParkLab Field Study｜在红树林里读懂时空

At Shenzhen American International School (SAIS), we believe learning doesn’t only happen within the four walls of a classroom—it comes alive in the real world. This week, our Grade 3 students stepped outside and into the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park for a special ParkLab field study, deeply rooted in our IB PYP unit of inquiry: “Where We Are in Place and Time.”

While Shenzhen is known for its rapid urban growth and subtle seasonal changes, the mangrove wetlands preserve the textures of time and the rhythms of nature. We see these wetlands as a living specimen of time and place—a space where students can observe the symbiotic relationship between landscape, biodiversity, and human presence, while also tracing the city’s transformation from coastal mudflats to an ecological metropolis.

Led by homeroom teacher Ms. Amy Debretton-Gordon, students used observation sheets to record what they expected and actually saw, carefully distinguishing between natural and man-made features. Through sketches, key vocabulary, and discussion, they explored the terrain, studied native species, and listened to real-time explanations of Shenzhen’s geography and the ecological value of the mangrove forest.

More importantly, the experience sparked big questions:

Through these questions, students began to connect geography with ecology, past with present, and curiosity with responsibility.

As the only international school in Shenzhen located inside a park (Sihai Park in Shekou). ParkLab is a signature program launched in 2025 by our Academic Principal, Mr. Joseph Cirelli, inspired by the unique context of Shenzhen—a city known for its rapid growth in technology and innovation, and surrounded by dynamic green spaces.

Recognizing the power of authentic, place-based learning, Mr. Cirelli envisioned ParkLab as a way to connect students’ academic inquiry with the real world—fostering awareness of nature, community, and sustainable action.

Through ParkLab, students explore science, language, and social studies in outdoor settings, learning not only about the world, but with the world—empowered to ask questions, solve problems, and make a meaningful impact on their local environment.

在深美外籍子女学校（SAIS），“学习”不仅发生在教室四墙之间，更在真实世界中自然发生。本周，三年级的学生走进福田红树林生态公园，开展了以IB PYP探究主题“我们身处什么时空（Where We Are in Place and Time）”为核心的ParkLab实地学习任务。

深圳四季不明显，城市发展迅猛，但红树林湿地保留着时间的年轮与自然的纹理——这正是我们将其作为“活的时空标本”的原因。孩子们在观察、记录和讨论中，去理解“过去、现在与未来”在地貌、生态、城市之间如何交织。

在主班Amy老师的引导下，孩子们带着任务单和好奇心，观察地形、辨别动植物、区分自然与人造，写下他们“预期会看到什么”与“实际看到的内容”，并判断哪些是自然生成，哪些是人工产物。

他们在公园中听老师讲解红树林的生态意义、深圳滨海的发展史，也开始思考城市建设与自然保护的平衡。在真实的时空现场，孩子们提出了问题，也收获了思考：

作为全深圳唯一一所坐落在公园内（蛇口四海公园）的国际学校，由深美外籍子女学校（SAIS）学术校长 Joseph Cirelli 先生于2025年亲自创设的课程项目，ParkLab诞生于对深圳这座城市的深入理解与教育使命的延伸。

深圳，这座因科技与创新而闻名的城市，被丰富的城市公园和生态景观所环绕。我们希望通过ParkLab课程，将孩子的学习与真实环境相连接，激发他们对自然、社区与未来的责任意识。

ParkLab 融合自然观察、学科探究与可持续发展教育，鼓励学生走出教室，在真实的城市与生态场域中提问、探索与思考，成为富有行动力的全球学习者。