The growing awareness around the importance of STEAM is a reflection of our constantly changing world. With new technologies released every day, it is important to encourage students to become well versed in the fields of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.

Throughout the afternoon on Monday both Primary and Secondary students celebrated International STEAM Day. The theme was based around climate change to highlight the effects of global warming and the ongoing 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

Primary students gathered to investigate how and why boats float on water. The task for the afternoon involved students building their own boats using recycled materials and to test them in our own purpose built ocean, our ECE paddling pools! Apart from getting wet, the key learning from the activity was understanding water displacement and the effect of forces when adding additional weight onto the boat.

Our Secondary students investigated renewable energy and built a windmill to understand the power of wind energy. Needless to say, it was an interactive, exciting activity that enabled students to look at the various elements of STEAM while also developing communication, collaboration and group work skills. Students then researched the impact of wind power and the amount energy it would require to power a city such as Chongqing.

We look forward to YCIS Chongqing students working on many more STEAM activities this academic year and sharing the outcomes of their learning.