In January 2017, the Ministry of Education issued the "Science Curriculum Standards for Primary Schools in Compulsory Education." However, in the process of developing science courses, some elementary schools in the central and western regions faced challenges: science curriculums were undersupplied, incomplete, and substandard. To enable children in rural areas to take good science classes, in 2016, the Alibaba Foundation Charity Baby Project supported the Beijing Green & Shine Foundation to launch the “Protect Rural Children’s Pursuit of Science” project in rural schools. By doing this, rural primary schools can employ high-quality science education resources, and students can pursue scientific research and learning.

Children in science class

Children, enlightened by science

Why do we insist on teaching children science? Mr. Bai Huafeng, the principal of Zhuangxi Primary School in Changyang County, Hubei Province, said, “I think science brings wisdom to children.”

At Zhuangxi Primary School where he is the principal, Mr. Bai Huafeng saved school funding to build a science classroom, which contained a series of models such as The Liaoning and the Shenzhou series. Speaking of the science classroom, Mr. Bai was a little bit disappointed, "I can't take the children to see the aircraft carrier, but they must know the achievements of our country, so I have to bring the models."

Student work in the science classroom, Zhuangxi Primary School

“I was playful when I was young. When I grow up, I find that thinking is important to students. Science promotes children’s growth. "Mr. Bai encourages teachers to carry out science classes, let children make their own models, and organize science festivals and activities.

"Whose egg is broken!" Students rushed forward. This is the science activity “Protect the Egg”at Zhuangxi Primary School. "Place the egg in the middle. No matter what method you use, the length, width, and height cannot exceed 10cm!" The children threw the eggs down from the 4th floor, and teachers opened the eggs in front of the kids. They were all excited. "Although the setup is simple, at least the children know the danger of falling objects, so they won’t throw things down from the 4th floor." Mr. Bai continued.

Kids participating in Group Research in Science Class

In 2021, Zhuangxi Primary School received a donation of scientific toolboxes from the project "Protect Rural Children’s Pursuit of Science." This toolbox donation is supported by China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and Alibaba Philanthropy, donated by Alibaba Foundation Charity Baby Project, and implemented by Green & Shine Foundation. In addition to hardwares, Green & Shine Foundation also invited a science teacher from Zhejiang to the school. Professor Yuan Helin from Anji County, Zhejiang Province demonstrated a vivid science lesson to the faculty. Sitting in the front row, Mr. Bai turned his phone on silent mode, "I must listen to the science lectures from other teachers." At this moment, Mr. Bai became a student again.

"How can you come up with results of experiments without doing them?" Professor Yuan reiterated. Under the podium, Mr. Bai and the teachers worked together, rubbing the plasticine clays to compare the size of the planets.

"We all had fun, not to say those little kids. Now, I have a clearer idea on how to teach a good science class." Looking at the toolbox brought by G&S Foundation, Mr. Bai was excited.

Children using apparatus to conduct experiments in science class

Science paints a colorful world for the children in the mountains, allowing them to observe the world in a new perspective. We give children a seed of science, and beautiful flowers bloom as children grow.

(Note: Written by He Miaomiao from Chinanet Education Channel )