At YCIS Pudong, learning outside of the classroom is tremendously encouraged, and STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – is no exception. From student-led initiatives to regional competitions, STEM education is truly embraced at our school.

One way STEM learning is approached is through collaborative projects. For the annual Year 6 Science Fair, for example, students devise an experiment to answer a scientific question, and present their findings to students and teachers alike. A more recent tradition is the Year 10 Maths Fair, where students research a mathematical concept and explore its real-life applications. I’m very proud of the ‘Monty Hall Problem' project my friend and I achieved first place for during the fair, since it was an intriguing puzzle that made me question the reliability of intuition, and because it developed my interest in STEM.

We are also able to apply our STEM learning outside of school. I’ve participated in competitions like the Shanghai ‘HighFour’ Maths and Science Contest and the North-East Asian Mathematics Competition (NEAMC) in Beijing. I’ve been very fortunate to meet and collaborate with extremely bright students from so many different schools, and to be challenged with perplexing problems that require out-of-the-box thinking. It was an eye-opening experience that showed me how STEM isn’t limited merely to the classroom setting.

What also makes STEM learning at YCIS Pudong so special is the plethora of leadership opportunities offered to senior students. Last year, my peers, teachers, and I organised various STEM competitions, such as a Year 6-7 ‘STEM Olympics’ and a ‘Pi Day’ Carnival. We were able to take inspiration from some NEAMC rounds, and it was fascinating to witness the rounds from an organiser’s perspective. It was an incredibly valuable experience as we were able to develop many contestants’ enthusiasm for STEM. I am currently collaborating with my peers to organise a school-wide STEM day to raise awareness of gender inequality in STEM industries, and I’m extremely excited to take initiative to increase appreciation for STEM learning through events like these.

With so many opportunities to approach STEM in and outside of the classroom, there is so much to love about STEM learning at YCIS Pudong!

By Hayley, Year 12, YCIS Pudong Secondary