Summer is finally here – the sun is out, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming. But wait … It isn’t just all sunshine and rainbows; it also means that kids are out of school. And what better way to enrich your child’s summer than by helping them learn public speaking and critical thinking skills?

Dispatio is a Beijing teen-run humanities blog and organization with the goal of spreading love and interest for debate, history, and the social sciences to the next generation (both in our community and in the rest of China and the world). Especially in this rapidly AI- and technology-dominated society, Dispatio wishes to instill an understanding of humanity and humanities topics into our community.

This summer, we will offer three different online courses in English: a history research program, a speech and debate course, and an essay-writing workshop for middle schoolers and advanced primary school students. 

Twenty-five percent of all of Dispatio’s proceeds will be donated to Educating Girls in Rural China (EGRC) to support their efforts in educating underprivileged girls in rural areas of China by supporting them academically and emotionally as well as paying for their tuition and living expenses.

Click here to see more of the summer humanities courses. 

Scan this QR code to sign up and join the Dispatio family!

Images: Dispatio, Pexels

While it’s practically a meat-lover’s world when it comes to Beijing cuisine, that’s no reason to leave out the vegetarians. Many dishes in Beijing cuisine may seem vegetarian, but still contain slight bits of ground meat or meat stock. We’ve got you covered with 10 dishes and snacks to make yourself or get from a restaurant or store. This is also for food enthusiasts who want something lighter and healthier than the meat-heavy dishes common in Beijing!

Veggie Dumplings 素馅儿饺子 (sù xiàn er jiǎozi)

Even as a vegetarian, you don’t need to miss out on a Chinese classic dish for Chinese New Year and special occasions – dumplings (饺子 jiǎo zi). Many classic dumpling fillings contain either some kind of seafood (ex. shrimp) or pork, yet there are still delectable vegetarian options like chives and eggs; carrots and eggs; wood ear, carrots, eggs and zucchini etc. 

Fried Dough 油条 (yóutiáo)

The perfect crunch of a fried dough stick coupled with sweet, lukewarm soy milk is the classic old Beijinger breakfast. Even as a vegetarian, you don’t need to miss out on this simple and soothing classic. Just as its name indicates, fried dough is made from deep frying dough at a high temperature until golden brown. Fried dough sticks are famous for their soft inside and crispy outer layer. Without constantly needing to find a “vegetarian place”, enjoy any type of fried dough with a hot beverage, soy milk, or vegetarian jellied beancurd (豆腐脑 dòu fu nǎo).

Veggie Bun 素包子 (sù bāozi)

Veggie buns are also a can’t-miss snack or dish when you are in Beijing! Though there are many types of veggie buns, one of the most widespread and popular version is the “Vegetarian Three Delicacies” (素三鲜 sù sān xiān) bun. These include a variety of mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and egg for fillings. The filling transforms the bland dough into a flavorful and savory delight – a must try when you visit the Qingfeng Bun Shop (庆丰包子铺 qìng fēng bāo zi pù).

Find it:
Qingfeng Baozi Pu (Hong Lian South Road Branch) 庆丰包子铺 (红莲南路店)
Hong Lian Nan Road, No. 6 Courtyard, No. 8 Building, Xicheng District 西城区红莲南路6号院8号楼
Tel: 6330 5040

Shredded Potato 土豆丝 (tǔdòu sī)

Another Beijing staple is shredded potatoes. This widespread main course is extremely simple yet flavorful, usually containing shredded potatoes, and red or green peppers with traditional Chinese green onions, ginger, and garlic seasoning. It’s also the perfect friend for a plain bowl of rice.

Veggie Spring Roll 素春卷 (sù chūnjuǎn)

The crunch of a spring roll just can’t be forgotten. As a vegetarian, you don’t have to miss out on some good ol’ crispy spring rolls. Similar to dumplings and buns, there are also many variations of veggie spring rolls. One of the most delicious fillings includes chive, bean sprout, carrot, Chinese vermicelli (粉丝 fěn sī), and needle mushroom. What’s special about spring rolls is how easily they can be made and how the fillings can be improvised!

Rolling Donkey 驴打滚 (lǘ dǎgǔn)

As a traditional Tianjin and Beijing snack, the rolling donkey is perfect for your sweet tooth! But…why “rolling donkey”? The reason this snack got its name is because of the outer layer of yellow bean flour (黄豆面 huáng dòu miàn) which resembles the yellow mud/sand (黄土 huáng tǔ) that flies everywhere when donkeys roll on the mud/sand. Rolling donkey consists of the outer bean flour layer, a middle glutinous rice layer as well as the red bean paste as a classic filling. As you bite into it, the softness coupled with the unique flavor melts together in your mouth, making rolling donkey a must-try!

Find it:
Bai Kui Lao Hao Restaurant (Jiao Dao Kou Branch)
Jiao Dao Kou South Street, No. 158, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口南大街158号
Tel: 6404 0967
Open 6am –  9.30pm

Pea Cake 豌豆黄 (wāndòu huáng)

Another traditional Beijing snack is the pea cake. This classic treat is made by peeling, boiling, granulating, and adding sugar to peas. The soft texture and refreshing flavor melt in your mouth on the first bite. Try some pea cake at Nan Lai Shun Snacks!

Find it:
Nan Lai Shun Snacks (Nan Cai Yuan Branch) 南来顺小吃(南菜园店)
Nan Cai Yuan Street, No. 12, Xuanwu District
宣武区南菜园街12号
Tel: 6353 4720
Open 6am – 2pm and 4.30 – 9pm

“Non-stick” Three Ways 三不沾 (sān bù zhān)

Another fascinating Beijing snack is called “san bu zhan”, literally translating to “three non-stick”. This is made out of a combination of egg, cornstarch, sugar, and water. The reason it’s called “non-stick” is simply because it doesn’t stick to your teeth or the plate, despite its glutinous texture. Especially suitable for elders and children, san bu zhan is an aromatic and mouthwatering snack! 

Find it:
Tong He Ju (Ri Tan Branch) 同和居(日坛店)
Ri Tan North Road, No. 6, Chaoyang District
朝阳区日坛北路6号
Tel: 8561 8626
Open 10.30am – 9.30pm

Fried Dough Twist/Pretzel 麻花 (máhuā) 

Offering both savory and sweet, fried dough twists are again, a timeless yet simple snack originating from Tianjin, Shanxi, Hubei, and Hunan. Beautifully fried to a golden color, dough twists are exactly what they sound like. Two or three pieces of dough are twisted together, then fried in oil, similar to a pretzel-like donut. Fried dough twists come in all flavors, types, and sizes. Tianjin twists, also available in Beijing, are mostly sugary. They are larger than the average twist, with added toppings like cinnamon, walnut, dried melon strip, etc. You can also get savory twists that are seaweed, sesame, or spring onion flavored. 

Find it:
Nan Lai Shun Snacks (Nan Cai Yuan Branch) 南来顺小吃(南菜园店)
Nan Cai Yuan Street, No. 12, Xuanwu District
宣武区南菜园街12号
Tel: 6353 4720
Open 6am – 2pm and 4.30 – 9pm

Toad Spits Honey 蛤蟆吐蜜 (hámá tǔ mì)

With a crunchy sesame outer layer dough and soft red bean paste filling, “toad spits honey” is almost like your average red bean bun, except crispier, having larger amounts of red bean paste and scented with the fragrance of sesame. Originating from Tianjin, “hama tu mi” also can be bought in Beijing or even made in your kitchen!

Find it:
Bai Kui Lao Hao Restaurant (Jiao Dao Kou Branch) 白魁老号饭庄(交道口店)
Jiao Dao Kou South Street, No. 158, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口南大街158号
Tel: 6404 0967
Open 6am – 9.30pm

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Teen Takeover issue

Happy teacher’s day! In this year’s Teen Takeover issue our interns wrote about what attributes make certain teachers exceptional. What is it about these teachers that make lasting impressions on their students and change their lives forever?

Students, do you remember that community-building activity that teachers like to have at the beginning of the year, the one where you have to list the traits you want your teacher to have? We’ve always been stumped by this question, so we interviewed some students from various schools to find out the traits that make a great teacher!

1. Communicative

“I believe the most important trait for any teacher is knowing how to effectively communicate with his/her students. The teacher should know how to lecture the class with appropriate language, order, etc. so that students understand his/her point effectively, and the teacher should know how to approach different students in different manners to maximize student participation in learning.

For example, our English language and literature teacher has this trait. During classes, she gives lectures and analyses of pieces of literature that are engaging and easy to follow because there is a clear and logical structure to her speech.” — Anonymous (G9, Keystone Academy)

2. Passionate

“I think passion. Passion for the subject that they’re teaching, passion in their work, but most importantly the passion to teach students and make them excel. 

The astronomy and geology teacher loves stars and rocks, the history teacher loves random, humorous, dark historical facts, the English teacher loves to read and talk about books and movies and other literary works, and the Chinese teacher is a poet himself. Passion in teaching definitely makes a fantastic teacher.” — Oscar Tsui (G10, Tsinghua International School)

“Having a good knowledge of the subject goes without saying, but a really special teacher can showcase their passion for their subject and influence their students to feel the same.” — Olivia Xiao (G11, International School of Beijing)

3. Engaging

“One trait I really like in teachers is being engaging. Maybe it’s charisma or humor that makes their classes interesting to listen to, no matter if they’re teaching a subject I love or hate. 

My English teacher is like this. In class she begins with “life lessons” that are loosely related to whatever we are learning but very helpful and gets our brains focused on English class. She always encourages us to talk and share our own ideas, which makes class a lot more engaging.” — Olivia Xiao (G11, International School of Beijing)

“Being able to capture the class’ attention and make the lessons interesting and fun to attend is important.” — Cindy Luo (G9, Episcopal High School)

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Teen Takeover issue

In recent years, the ultimate teen craze has been escape rooms! Though their popularity cannot be doubted, they are still shrouded in controversy. So … Are escape rooms really worth it? Are they safe? Too expensive?

You wondered, Beijing teens answered.

Let’s dive right in!

Safety?

While most reputable escape rooms are very safe to play in, there have been news reports of people getting injured at escape rooms. Though safety should not be a big problem, it’s important to understand and follow and safety precautions listed by the worker. For instance, those who are claustrophobic or have cardiovascular diseases should not participate.

“I personally don’t like escape rooms because I’m scared of the safety issues and also in most of the escape rooms there is very little space, so if anyone is claustrophobic then [they]should avoid going to the escape room,” says Kannika Mehrotra from ISB.

“The one I went to was quite expensive, but I think it was pretty worth it because of the quality. I could see where the expense came from because there were costumes and monitors and NPCs and props that had to be replaced after every group,” explains Tina Cui from THIS.

Expensive?

Usually, the cost for playing in an escape room ranges from RMB 100 to more than RMB 300 per person. But it really depends on the place you choose.

“I think it depends from person to person. Personally, I don’t think so that it’s worth paying because you’re literally paying to get scared, but I do understand that a lot of people enjoy such mystery and horror stuff, so for them it might be totally worth it,” says Mehrotra.

Selene Sun from Keystone Academy explains, “Personally I think they’re too expansive. Take the escape room Yin Yang Shi as an example. It’s RMB 500 for two hours per person. So when there’s five to six people, they’ll earn RMB 2,500-3,000 for a single round. That’s way too expensive, although the place is huge and there are many good-quality NPCs.”

Spend Time With Friends?

A large part of an escape room experience is solving puzzles or problems with your friends (for those who aren’t scared to death and at this point crying on the floor). Many enjoy this bonding experience as everyone gets terrified together, laughs together, and just has a good time together.

“It’s a nice place to kill time with friends and it’s also a chill place to hang out during summers,” says Mehrotra.

Cui says, “Every time my friends coerce me to go, I end up regretting it and wanting to leave the entire time. I’m miserable and pretty useless in solving tasks because I’m too scared to think properly. But afterward I usually don’t regret going because I can look back on the experience with humor.”

“You get to practice using your brain and just be happy with friends,” mentions Joyce Zhang from Keystone Academy.

“It’s a fun experience to be with friends and interact with a realistic storyline. It’s also a good place to hang out since often we don’t know where to go out with friends,” says Sun.

Popular escape rooms in Beijing for the daredevils:

1. Mr. X (X 先生密室逃脱)

Find it:
2/F, Shimao Plaza, 13 Gong Ti South Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路13号世茂广场F2
Tel: 186 0004 9303
Hours: Open 24 hours. Average Price: RMB 249

2. It’s Young (异次元密室逃脱)

Find it (1):
2/F, Shimao Plaza, 13 Gong Ti South Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路13号世茂广场F2
Tel: 8453 8041

Find it (2):
B1/F, Gui You Building, 5A Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街甲5号贵友大厦B1
Tel: 131 2195 1558
Hours: 10am-10pm. Average price: RMB 97

3. Omescape (奥秘之家)

Find it:
B1/F, Bld. 12, Ban Dao International Compound, 18 Qu Tong East Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区阜通东大街18号半岛国际公寓12号楼B1层
Tel: 173 4300 5634
Hours: 9.30am-10pm. Average price: RMB 115

Images: Pexels, Dazhong Dianping

Have you ever wondered if counting sheep before sleep actually works? How about sleeping naked? Or how much sleep should a teenager get? We got your burning questions answered through an interview with Dr. Rochon, biopsychologist from EngineeringSleep.

Dr. Rochon has a master’s in neuroscience and cognitive science with a doctorate specializing in sleep and different stages of consciousness. Studying both biology and psychology, he became a biopsychologist, finding sleep as the perfect link between these disciplines.

“For me, the link between biology and psychology is represented by sleep. Sleep is the most accurate way to touch biological or psychological problems,” says Dr. Rochon.

1. What is the circadian rhythm and why is it important?

The circadian rhythm is the most important part of sleep that people aren’t familiar with. It is a clock inside of your brain that dictates how your body works. Synchronizing this clock with the outside world is critical. The circadian clock is actually in the middle of your brain, controlling your eyes, absorbing light from the sun as well as managing your habits.

Take the example of social jetlag. Social jetlag is when your circadian rhythm is a little bit later. This is when people wake up later during the weekend, which means they have access to light later, desynchronizing their circadian rhythm. For instance, if you see the light at 10am today, then your body will prepare you to see it at the same time tomorrow, instead of earlier. So this is why you are tired on Mondays since your body follows what you told it to do the day before. Therefore, it is best to stick to the same wake-up schedule every day.  

2. Does sleeping naked help with your sleep?

For some people, I think it’s a good idea, but it depends. Chinese medicine actually talks about it since when people sleep naked they can make their surroundings warmer. But again, it’s about lowering your body temperature and the easiest way to cool down is to take off your clothes. I think it’s more linked with the psychology of habits. So if you like to do it, you should do it.

3. When should an average teenager go to sleep? How much sleep should they get?

Teenagers have a circadian rhythm a little bit later than normal people. That means biologically, they are already pushed to go to bed later and wake up later. Why? This is due to melatonin, which is a hormone that tells you it’s dark outside. Melatonin secretion is common for teenagers, so naturally, teens would go to sleep later. And their late social events add to this phenomenon.

What we need to do as teens is to be sure that we wake up at the same time every day instead of sleeping in. Thus, it’s not about how long we sleep, it’s more about how we sleep and wake up. So even if we don’t get enough sleep, we can recover later through naps.

4. Does counting sheep work?

This idea concerns the psychological aspect. Counting sheep is not a bad idea but it works differently for different people. So, the more you can visualize in your head, it’s easier to fall asleep. Yet if you count the sheep just for the sake of counting, it doesn’t work because you will go into sleep control thinking. This is where one story leads to another and another, making it difficult to sleep. It’s also true that if you can relax your muscles through a breathing technique, it’s easier to sleep.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, get in touch with Dr. Rochon!

Website: engineeringsleep.com

WeChat: sleep-cognition

Images: Unsplash, Canva, Pexels, Dr. Rochon

Have you ever wondered why you feel unusually tired on Monday mornings? Or whether sleeping more really help you grow taller? We got your burning questions answered through an interview with Dr. Rochon, a biopsychologist from Engineering Sleep.

Dr. Rochon has a master’s in neuroscience and cognitive science with a doctorate specializing in sleep and different stages of consciousness. Studying both biology and psychology, he became a biopsychologist, finding sleep as the perfect link between both disciplines.

“For me, the link between biology and psychology is represented by sleep. Sleep is the most accurate way to touch biological or psychological problems,” says Dr. Rochon

1. What can you do before going to sleep that will improve your sleep quality?

The most important part is your access to light. The more you dim your lights during the evening, the more easily you will fall asleep and sleep deeply. This should be a part of your routine. When you form a routine in your brain by activating different kinds of behaviors, it will prepare your brain to fall asleep faster and deeper.

Another thing you should do is to cool down your body, so your bedroom should be at about 20 to 21 degrees Celsius. If you want to sleep faster, stay in your living room until you start to have biological signs of sleep like yawning, and then you can go back to your bedroom. Going to sleep is not something passive, it’s active, so you have to prepare for it.

2. Do you need less sleep as you get older?

Instead of sleeping less, I would say we need the same amount of sleep, but as you get older, you will separate this amount. We go back to a baby way of sleeping, where you would sleep for an hour and a half and then wake up and then go to sleep.

3. How much time and when should you nap during the day if you don’t get enough sleep?

The best time is usually approximately six hours after you wake up. It’s usually after lunch, but for some people who wake up earlier, it’s during lunch or before lunch. This time of the day is the best to take a nap for about 20 minutes to 30 minutes so that you don’t go into deep sleep. If you do it, don’t do it on your bed. Do it somewhere that you don’t associate with sleep. Yet, for people who have trouble falling asleep, I don’t recommend naps.

4. Can you really grow taller if you sleep more?

If you have a healthy sleeping schedule, like going to bed and waking up the same time every day, then you will have more growth hormones. The first three hours of your sleep are especially significant since it is considered deep sleep where the most growth hormones are secreted. This is more important for younger children, which means parents should reinforce the time they go to bed. In short, for teens, if you miss the first three hours of your usual sleep schedule, you will also miss the opportunity to excrete growth hormones that day.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, get in touch with Dr. Rochon! 

Website: engineeringsleep.com

Wechat ID: sleep-cognition

Images: Unsplash, Canva, Pexels, Dr. Rochon

Starting to feel the irresistible laziness of summer creeping onto you? Get up from your couch and learn something new with these five free apps!

1. Khan Academy: Lessons for All

From Pre-K to AP courses and beyond, Khan Academy has you covered with more than 8,000 video lessons. Using a combination of videos, visuals, texts, and practice questions, it provides core subjects like math, science, etc as well as standardized test prep like SAT. Most importantly, everything on Khan Academy is 100% free!

2. Learning a New Language? Do it with Duolingo

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language or improve on one, but didn’t know where to start? Duolingo is a fun and almost addictive language learning app, providing bite-sized lessons that include reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Ranging from Spanish to Hawaiian, you get to explore 22 different languages taught in English. Though there is a Duolingo Plus subscription plan, the free version allows you to access almost all the functions too!

“Duolingo is the perfect way for me to study Chinese everyday. I love competing against my friends. I’m currently on a 338 day streak and it feels amazing to know that I’ve stuck with something for so long.” says Mrs. Jaime Weiler (English Teacher at Keystone Academy)

3. edX and Coursera: College Courses at Home

Who wouldn’t want a taste from a top university class? edX and Coursera are similar software that provides courses from top institutions across the world, with topics ranging from “The Science of Happiness” to “Introduction to Biology – The Secret of Life” and even to “Hollywood: History, Industry, Art”. Payment is required if you would like to receive a certificate after taking the final exam, but you can still access each course without any payment by auditing

“The psychology course that is taught by a Yale professor gave me new insights into the topic!” says Cathy Kang (15 years-old student at Keystone Academy)

4. Make Math Magical with AoPS

Math can actually be fun! Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is an interactive STEM learning software, where the Alcumus game, For The Win! challenge, video library, and community forums are completely free. Alcumus is a progressively harder math problem-solving game with detailed step-by-step solutions and recommended explanation videos!

“The alcumus program is a great choice for any self motivated students to find practices suited for their own skill level.” says Eva Jiang (14 years-old student at Keystone Academy)

5. Can-do Coding with code.org

Imagine being able to create your own app or website! This can be easily achieved by joining code.org and exploring its catalog full of coding challenges. You will learn to build your own app, use JavaScript to design the visuals, and program animations! There are also many recommended third-party courses like web-page programming etc. Again, code.org is fully free!

Images: Sissi Ma, Pexels