Doctors teach science to primary school students

Sun Zhi, a scientist with the Institute of Process Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences, answers questions from the students of the Chuiyangliu Central Primary School in Chaoyang district, Beijing, on September 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of doctoral scientists with one of China's leading research institutes have given dozens of students from a primary school in Beijing a special lesson on Saturday, as part of the efforts to make science more popular among Chinese students.

"Before the lecture, I felt teaching primary school students might be even more challenging than teaching adult students, so I tried to include more pictures and stories in my presentation," Sun Zhi, a leading global expert with the Institute of Process Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said. He is also a doctoral supervisor and has an area of specialty in electronic waste recovery.

During the half-an-hour lecture, Sun shared, the history, present and future of cars, as well as information on the recovery of wasted car batteries, with the students of the Chuiyangliu Central Primary School.

One of the rooms of the library of the Chuiyangliu Central Primary School in Chaoyang district, Beijing. The photo was taken on September 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I think such lectures are good for the students and make them more curious about the world," a father surnamed Lin, whose fourth-grade girl listened to the lecture, said.

"My girl is one of the seven chosen students of her class attending the lecture, and the students just take turns to participate in similar activities and everyone has the opportunity.”

"I saw students reacting warmly to the lecture, especially the video presentation," Zheng Danna, a national model teacher who has been teaching for 25 years, said.

"Activities like this will stimulate their interests in science and inspire the students to read more after class."

The Chuiyangliu Central Primary School also has a well-stocked library which covers half-a-storey of the teaching building.

Apart from primary school education, the Institute of Process Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences also sponsored the establishment of the first industrial think tank and a number of sustainable development forums for environmental protection.

Scientists with the Institute of Process Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences are hired by the Chuiyangliu Central Primary School as guest experts in Chaoyang district, Beijing, on September 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]