If you’ve got a high schooler at home, one of the topics that’s constantly on your mind is college. Recently, we came across a website that may spark some interest if your child is planning on continuing their education in China. Campus China is a platform dedicated to promoting scholarships and educational opportunities for international students in China.

Campus China is a government website that serves as a consolidated resource for international students interested in studying in China. The website provides information about scholarships at universities all around the country, as well as information on their academic programs.

For students who have already adapted to life in Beijing, staying in China for university can be a seamless transition. They’ll be able to build on their existing knowledge of the language and culture while gaining a globally recognized degree. It’s important to note that the eligibility and requirements for each scholarship vary. Some may be only available to foreign students who are not currently residing in China, while others, like Renmin University of China’s “Belt and Road” scholarship, is only eligible for students from Belt and Road Initiative countries.

If your child is planning on continuing their education in China after high school, use Campus China as a starting point to research scholarships, universities, and programs that align with your child’s aspirations. It’s a decision that could shape their future in ways you’ve only begun to imagine.

Images: Campus China, Pexels

Are you as curious about who’s shaping the young minds of our kids as we are? We’re sitting down with teachers and staff from Beijing’s vibrant international schools to learn more about their unique stories, experiences, and perspectives. From the challenges of adapting to a new culture to the joys of building connections across borders, these conversations will shine a light on those who make up our education community. Whether you’re part of an international school yourself or simply curious about life in Beijing’s globalized education hubs, join us as we get to know the people behind the classrooms, hallways, and campuses that shape this extraordinary world.

This week’s #BeijingEducators features Ms. Poppy Thompson, the newly appointed Assistant Head of Early Years at British School of Beijing (BSB) Sanlitun.

My name is Poppy Thompson, and I am excited to begin my role as the newly appointed Assistant Head of Early Years for the 2025/2026 academic year. I’m originally from a small town in Shropshire, and I moved to Beijing over six years ago in search of new challenges and to expand my experience of working with children by joining an international school. Since then, I have had the privilege of growing both professionally and personally within the vibrant and diverse community here in Beijing.

Let’s talk a bit about the school.

How do you define high-quality early years education, and how does it align with the mission and values of BSB Sanlitun?

For me, high-quality early years education is centered around creating an enriching and engaging environment where young children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. The children should be encouraged to explore, experiment, and express themselves in ways that promote curiosity and a lifelong love for learning.

At BSB Sanlitun, our mission and values are deeply aligned with this vision of early years education. We aim to provide a learning environment where each child is seen to be involved in their own learning journey, where they thrive academically but also emotionally and socially. Our values of respect, responsibility, and community play a role in shaping our approach.

How does BSB Sanlitun create a safe and inclusive environment for early years students?

BSB Sanlitun creates a safe and inclusive environment for our early years students by prioritizing their physical and emotional well-being and making our school a place where every child feels valued and respected. The school supports diversity and celebrates different cultures and backgrounds while adapting teaching strategies to meet individual needs. With a child-centered approach, the curriculum promotes social and emotional learning, encouraging kindness, cooperation, and positive relationships. Through strong partnerships with families and a commitment to safeguarding, BSB Sanlitun ensures that all children, regardless of ability or background, have the opportunity to grow and feel part of the community.

How does BSB Sanlitun support the social and emotional development of early years students, especially those who may be new to Beijing and the international school environment?

We support the social and emotional development of early years students, particularly those new to Beijing and the international school environment, by promoting a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that helps them feel secure and welcomed. Through our orientation, we get to know the children more. They can spend time in the classrooms getting to know other children and seeing a school day in action. The communication with parents is continued throughout their settling-in periods as we know how important it is for the parents to feel reassured as well as the children.

Now let’s get to know you a bit.

What will your new role as Assistant Head of Early Years entail?

As Assistant Head of Early Years, I will work closely with staff to continue to provide a collaborative, positive learning curriculum and environment for children to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. I will continue to build strong relationships with parents and ensure that all children receive the care and attention they need to thrive. I will also track student progress to ensure all children are supported and challenged to develop in all areas of the curriculum.

What inspired you to get into education?

What inspired me to get into education was my deep passion for helping children grow and develop. I’ve always been fascinated by how children learn and how those early experiences shape their future. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact during such an important time in a child’s life, guiding them not just academically but socially and emotionally, really motivated me.

What’s the best part of your day working at BSB Sanlitun?

The best part of a day comes from seeing moments of growth, such as a child achieving something they have been working hard to understand or developing social skills through play and collaboration. Building strong relationships with children, seeing their confidence grow, and listening to their stories – having those special conversations about life, and celebrating their achievements make this job worthwhile.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these…

For children who show signs of advanced learning in certain areas, what are the best ways to nurture their talents without overloading them?

Differentiating activities and challenging children who show signs of advanced learning has to be done in a fun and engaging way. They need to be able to explore and be creative with their learning, without pushing them too much. Letting children work at their own pace, with room for choice and reflection ,will give them a sense of accomplishment. This keeps the children motivated but also doesn’t overload them so that they are able to enjoy their learning.

In your opinion, what are the emerging trends in early years education that international schools should pay attention to and incorporate into the curriculum?

There is an emphasis on emotional well-being and self-regulation within young children, and ensuring social and emotional skills are integrated into our curriculum such as resilience, communication, and resolving conflict are critical for their development. I also think recognizing that every child learns differently and that having an approach that will cater to all needs and interests is something that needs paying attention to, and having a play-based and children-led curriculum enables children to problem solve and encourages critical and independent thinking.

What role do you think technology should play in early years education? Do you have any advice on integrating technology into daily teaching effectively with young kids?

I think it is important that technology is included within early years, but we have to be mindful that technology is not a replacement for important interactions with adults. The use of whiteboards allows the children to work collaboratively with others, express themselves creatively, and for information to be presented. Devices for listening to stories, where a child can sit with headphones and get lost in a book or listen to music, [enable]them to dance, sing, and represent their own thoughts. We ensure a range of opportunities such as early coding strategies through programming a simple robot toy to develop these skills.

Can you tell us a bit about what to expect at the upcoming Open Morning on Mar 26?

At the Open Morning, parents will have the chance to meet our senior leadership team, learn more about our early years department, see a lesson in action, and have a tour around the early years building. I love to meet and make connections with our families, so I would be delighted to meet any new families who wish to visit.

Images: British School of Beijing, Sanlitun

The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi is set to host the ASIA Business Simulation – Regional Round (High School Division) on Mar 1 and 2. This is an event that promises to be a thrilling experience for young business-minded students.

Organized by Aseeder, the ASIA Business Simulation has a long-standing reputation. Since its inception in 2011, it has attracted over 80,000 students from various schools across China, making it a well-recognized platform for student entrepreneurs.

The simulation offers a comprehensive set of activities. Students will engage in roadshow presentations where they can showcase their business ideas and strategies. A trading challenge awaits, testing their market acumen and decision-making skills. Additionally, business operations are carried out through a smart IT system that mimics an online virtual marketplace. This gives students a hands-on feel of managing different aspects of a business, from product design and marketing to overall company operations and project management, providing a real-world entrepreneurship experience.

For those interested in participating, the registration deadline is Feb 23, 2025. Scan the QR code in the accompanying poster to sign up and be part of this exciting business simulation event.

Images: BSB Shunyi, Pexels

NAS Beijing Fangshan, one of four schools run by Nord Anglia Education in Beijing, abruptly announced its closure on July 5 after the school year ended, according to multiple parents who shared messaging on Chinese social media.

All students have been offered places in NAS Beijing’s Shunyi campus, which opened in 2022 with the first semester’s tuition waived due to the inconvenience.

NAS Fangshan first opened in 2019 and offered elementary, middle, and high school programs to a primarily Chinese student body. It was the first NAS school established by the Nord Anglia Education Group in Beijing, which also runs the Shunyi and Sanlitun campuses of the British School of Beijing.

The most recent post on the school’s WeChat account is dated June 28 and details the graduation ceremony for 6^th and 9^th graders. Around 30 students were pictured in the post, along with Chinese and foreign faculty members.

Despite its somewhat remote location far from Beijing’s city center, it still attracted many families who trust Nord Anglia’s international reputation.

The sudden news of the Fangshan campus’s closure came only one day before a scheduled open day, where perspective families can tour the school. Social media posts indicate the decision came suddenly to staff as well, with several speculating that the closure could have to do with losing the lease of the land where the campus is located. The school has yet to issue an official letter to the public, instead focusing on relocating its students and staff.

Discussions about the sudden closure popped up on Chinese social media this week, with parents pondering the practicality of sending their children to NAS Shunyi, located over 70km northeast of the Fangshan campus.

The Fangshan campus is located near the southwestern corner of Beijing’s 6^th Ring Road, while the Shunyi is located in the northeast corner of the 6^th Ring, quite literally on diagonally opposite sides of the city.

Those who are not willing to make the long commute this coming school year are now faced with the urgent need to find a new school for their children.

The closure has caused also anxiety amongst other Beijing private school families and staff, some of whom speculate this could be the first in a series of contractions in the K-12 education sector. Categorized by rapid expansion over the past two decades, the industry now faces excess capacity coupled with a decline in the national birth rate and a slowing economy.

To help families adapt to the change, students who are transferring to NAS Shunyi from NAS Fangshan have been given an exemption from their tuition for the first semester.

Welcoming its first students in the fall of 2022, NAS Shunyi offers a bilingual program that follows a blend of core elements of the Chinese National Curriculum with Western approaches and teaching methods. In the upper grades, they use British standard IGCSE and A-Levels. NAS Beijing, Shunyi, has space for 1,440 students and a boarding capacity for 484 students.

Images: courtesy of schools, xiaohongshu

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) prides itself in taking learning experiences beyond the classroom, and over the past 20 weeks, 17 teams of 40 DCB students participated in the very first Dulwich Startup Warriors Programme, a real-world entrepreneurship competition similar to that of the television show “Shark Tank.” The students’ goal was to showcase their creative inventions and savvy business plans to convince the judges to invest a hefty RMB 10,000 of seed money in their vision.

The competition culminated in the Bullpen of Champions, where the top 10 teams presented their business ideas and products.

From biodegradable phone cases to AI fact-checkers and sustainable children’s clothing, the diversity of ideas was truly inspiring.

Partnering with Singapore-based EdTech company Ascend Now, the program provided a platform for students to develop their entrepreneurial skills under the guidance of seasoned mentors.

Mr. Stephen Kaye, Senior School Deputy Head, academic, and co-organizer of the Dulwich Startup Warriors Programme, shared how proud he was of how the students have grown throughout the program and that he looks forward to what they can achieve in the future. “The students learned the fundamentals of what it takes to start a business in terms of knowledge, skills, and, most importantly, mindset. Over the six months of the program, our students have developed tenacity, resilience, and creativity in the face of adversity. I hope that as these students grow older, they will be able to use what they have learned to better our school, the local community, and the wider world.”

Ms. Zhen Liu, a former senior executive of Bytedance, a DCB parent, and one of the competition’s “sharks,” shared how impressed she was with the students’ well-structured presentations, which showed their keen understanding of their target markets and the potential impact of their products or services. “The Bullpen event showcased an impressive array of innovative start-up ideas from talented students. As a judge and parent entrepreneur, I was thoroughly impressed by the creativity, passion, and professionalism displayed by the students. Their level of energy, originality, and enthusiasm was truly remarkable. What stood out to me was the strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness in many of the projects. It is highly commendable that the school has successfully instilled a mindset focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the students. It was inspiring to see the next generation of entrepreneurs taking their first steps towards solving problems in the real world.”

Another “shark,” Dr. Karim Alwadi, founder of Yuan Li Sport and a DCB parent for ten years now, shared his pride not only in taking part in the event as a judge but also in experiencing firsthand our young students’ pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial drive. “The real-world business is much more competitive than what the students experience in a school environment. That is why it is so important for the kids to get hands-on experience on real issues you don’t anticipate in a simulated proposal.”

As the competition unfolded, it became evident that entrepreneurship runs deep in the students’ veins. Whether it was founding a pre-loved clothing platform with a sustainable ethos or creating dolls equipped with educational materials on the SDGs, the students’ passion and dedication were palpable.

Year 8 Ella H, co-founder of pre-loved clothing platform Kiddieloop, the winning business idea, shared how her team had decided to create a service with sustainability and community in mind. “We had a list of problems we wanted to solve while making a sustainable impact. We decided on Kiddieloop, where we would also create a community where everyone shares our values.”

Kiddieloop addresses the rapid growth of children’s clothing with an eco-conscious twist. They enable parents to sell or donate gently used children’s clothing, allowing others to purchase vetted items. Sellers earn a percentage, and charitable donations are also made from proceeds.

Dollision founder Year 7 Eva C shared how winning second place is one of the first steps in her dreams of becoming the first female CEO of a doll empire, where the dolls are uniquely equipped with learning materials on the 17 SDGs. “Not only can our dolls educate kids about SDG goals using accessible and trendy content, but as a girl, I can understand and relate with our target audience too!” But she also added how the event made her see that, whether she won or not, the joy she had while working on this passion project of hers is something that doesn’t need a reward.

Footflex revolutionises footwear by offering detachable soles, eliminating the need to carry multiple pairs of shoes. Their easy-to-use mechanism provides convenience for travellers and anyone looking to simplify their shoe collection. Say hello to extra space in your bag!

Sports enthusiast team Footflex, who placed third, shared how their product was inspired by how being passionate about different sports can make purchasing shoes not only unaffordable but unsustainable as well. They aim to create interchangeable soles that not only allow sportspeople to affordably continue their passion for sports but also create a better alternative for the planet. “With the seed funding, we [can]work out a complete set of prototypes to make our soles real products.”

Mr. Kaye also shared his observation of how nearly all the business ideas were related to social entrepreneurship, embodying DCB’s commitment to global citizenship. “This remarkable journey reveals our students’ commitment to active citizenship, demonstrating that every innovative idea we pursue is a stepping stone towards making a meaningful impact in the world.”

This program allowed students to showcase their innovative ideas while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, resilience, and sustainability, where ingenuity meets impact, and where every idea has the potential to make a difference. As Mr. Anthony Coles, Head of College, pointed out, “We should never underestimate our students. They are highly capable, adaptable, and creative. It’s no wonder they have excelled in this challenge to ideate and execute a business plan. Thank you to Mr. Stephen Kaye for supporting the teams throughout this long and sophisticated process.” The event also garnered support from extended family members, underscoring the importance of instilling entrepreneurial values from a young age.

Congratulations once again to all the participants, teachers, and community members who contributed to the success of the Dulwich Startup Warriors Programme.

Images: Dulwich College Beijing

The eighth iteration of the Avenir contest organised by Beijing City International School (BCIS) came to a heady conclusion after 11 teams pitched their business ideas to mentors and judges the weekend of April 20-21. The competition saw the involvement of Beijing’s top international schools including the British School of Beijing (BSB Shunyi) as well as BCIS students. In the end, Team Businesslike Grasshoppers clinched first place in the Senior Division with their pitch of putting together a new drone prototype to safely and efficiently deliver takeout, while Team Eco Apparel took first place in the Junior Division.

Jingkids International spoke with the Junior Division winning teams Eco Apparel’s members Selena Liu and Margaret Yang, second place Team Hare (members Eva Jin, Rita Jiang, Amy Zhai and Helen Xu) as well as Anna Fu from Senior Division runner-up Team VMAX to glean their insights and share their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Q: How does it feel to win Avenir 2024? 

Selena: Among the overwhelming emotions that barged into my mind when winning Avenir, I believe the excitement, motivation, and sense of relief stood out the most. The award was a powerful recognition of our efforts in this journey, and made us feel more encouraged and faithful to continue to this project and pursue entrepreneurial activities in the future. 

Q: What do you think led you to your victory?

Amy: Throughout the entire preparation process, the team was super dedicated to developing our business plan and pitch. Although there are imperfections, the effort and confidence we showed is something that led to our success. Particularly, I am extremely proud of our prototype because, even though it isn’t necessarily “good looking”, the completion of the final prototype made the time and effort we devoted to it worthwhile. I am also incredibly thankful for our two mentors, who gave us numerous helpful feedback and made our pitch more structured and logical.

Margaret: This victory was influenced by a lot of factors, and one of the biggest is the countless times Selena and I practiced our pitch. The week prior to the compeititon, we met up 3 times and practiced the pitch 2-3 times each time and worked on our business plan during those times as well. It is our dedication and teamwork that led to the victory of our team.

Selena: I believe it is the dedication, passion, and knowledge we had towards our project that allowed us to stand out among competing teams. Overall, our team was highly meticulous regarding all aspects in the business – from finance details, marketing strategies, and competitive positioning, we ensured that we had a thorough understanding about our business and had the ability to explain and justify all the choices we made in the process, which directly comes from continuous research and discussion with our mentor. Furthermore, I believe that one of our team’s highlight is the business presentation. We were able to display our authentic samples of our product and showed high passions and confidence towards our product during the pitch, which created a positive impression on our audience and judges.

Q: What are your most valuable lessons from the whole experience?

Rita: The most profound lesson gleaned from this experience is the imperative of harnessing knowledge to effect tangible change in the world. Throughout the journey of developing our business, we learned to prioritize addressing the genuine needs of society rather than only conceptualizing theoretical ideas. This directs us towards designing a product that could genuinely make contribution to society.

Anna: I think an important lesson I learned is having a good mindset. I had a better mentality during this year’s competition than last time because I viewed it more as an opportunity to appreciate and learn from other people’s business ideas, and there wasn’t an immense amount of pressure. I also realized that the purpose of the pitch is simply to showcase the idea that we worked for the past few weeks to others, and it shouldn’t be overly stressed over.

Selena: Thriving to be as resourceful as possible, and never be afraid to ask questions, research, and communication is one of the main takeaways I got from Avenir. During the process, our group encountered many business and financial concepts that were unfamiliar with – such as cashflow statement, runway, profit margin, and equity share – which made us feel anxious at first. Still, we demonstrated strong inquiry skills and proactively reached out to a range of sources we had access to, including our mentors, teachers, business supplier (like GRNTEX) and other relevant field professionals that were willing to share their insights. Learning about novel business concepts and models and directly applying them into our entrepreneurship idea is certainly a challenge. However, through overcoming this challenge, we were able to achieve substantial growth as a business learner, and enhanced our prepardness in the entire competition.

Q: What advice would you give to those who are thinking of participating in next year’s Avenir?

Eva: For those considering participating in next year’s Avenir, I advise to embrace the inevitable nervousness that comes with such an event. It is essential to approach the competition with a mindset of continuous learning and growth. Seek feedback from mentors and teammates, andremain open to making necessary adjustments. Remember that collaboration and effective teamwork are key to achieving success in this competition.

Margaret: I would say to practice your pitch as much as possible with your team and choose a business idea that you are truly passionate about as that would lead to exceptional teamwork and dedication throughout the whole process of preparation and when performing. Try not to get distracted by other team’s performances as that can really affect your confidence, so just try your best for the entire process!

Images: Courtesy of BCIS 

KEEP READING: Avenir Business Competition Sees International Participation for First Time

Last Sat, April 21, from 9am to noon, Beijing City International School (BCIS) students and parents participated in the first-ever PTA Ginkgo Tree Flea Market where they hawked their wares to the school community and general public. This new event was championed by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in a bid to support the spirit of sustainability and provide a platform for students to practice their business skills.

To inaugurate the event, Head of School Tom Schafer handed out personally signed certificates to each student participant at the opening ceremony, thanking them for their green spirit. The BCIS school mascot Lele also made an appearance and went stall to stall for photo opportunities with the kids. Many students took the chance to sell their own pre-loved toys and books, giving the items a fresh lease of life in the hands of a new owner. Some stalls did offer brand new items such as video game trading cards, customisable badges, and greeting cards.

Grade 1 student Yo-yo shared: “I earned over RMB 100 from the flea market! I discovered that as long as I decorate my booth well and have nice goods to sell, customers will come to me to buy them.” Grade 5 student Kimmy had these insights: “Today I accomplished many things. I learned a lot of skills like marketing and advertising.”

PTA President Shu Qi said of the event: “Everybody had so much fun today! The PTA is very happy to see how the kids became business wizards; walking around selling and exchanging their goods. To see their hard work through this real-world experience is exactly our intention for organizing this event in the first place. Thanks again to the kids and all the participating families for their hard work and sweat, in the spirit of BCIS Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle! Go BCIS! Go Green Warriors!”

The BCIS PTA hope to continue this tradition of the Gingko Tree Flea Market throughout the school year so you can stay tuned for the next one!

Images: Courtesy of BCIS

KEEP READING: Empower Your Kids During Earth Hour 2024 

I first crossed paths with Crocetti back in 2021, after we had both been in Beijing for about a year, when she agreed to be my source for an article. Afterwards, we struck up an online friendship like so many expat parents do, where we would exchange stories of our kids’ lives and the trials and tribulations of online learning in the unspeakable era. Her three children have been consistent participants in practically every Jingkids initiative, sending in videos of reading bedtime stories, singing their favorite Christmas carols and showing off their best drawings. Her eldest, Rosa, was particularly great at contributing stories – from covering the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics ice hockey quarter finals game to sharing the experience of how she got her first pair of glasses. It is clear that the Crocetti offspring have inherited their mother’s drive and community spirit. 

The Crocetti family is no stranger to the expat life, having lived in Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka before Beijing. Crocetti herself has kept busy throughout motherhood, consulting for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) even as she raised her two daughters. Even then, by the time the family arrived in Beijing, Crocetti was ready to get back to work full-time. But then came the news that she was expecting her third child, so she put her career plans on the back burner while she busied herself with being fully present as a mother. She stayed active in the parent association at BSB Sanlitun, the school Rosa attended, engaged with Aurelia’s Italian school, and enjoyed precious time with her new baby.

Then Covid changed everything; Aurelia’s Italian school shut down for good and Crocetti found herself basically home-schooling the kids. When life resumed, Crocetti found herself idle at home with all three kids at school. Pursuits such as taking the CELTA course and re-learning Italian were not enough, so she decided then it was time to make her move. Lo and behold, an opening at BSB Sanlitun appeared. At first, Crocetti was not sure that she could take on the duties of director of admissions and marketing, even though she has a Ph.D. and had worked closely with schools before through her experience with NPOs. But after making a list of how she did qualify for the position, she convinced herself to throw her hat in the ring. 

After four interviews over three months – one in person in Beijing before tele-interviews with Shanghai and London – Crocetti was offered the job. By then she had done all her research (which she loves) about Nord Anglia, and the more she learned about the institution, the more she saw that it was a perfect fit. She was already deeply involved in the school community and knew the existing parents well; she loved the idea of going to work where the kids are, and she greatly appreciated how the school did things. 

A few months into the job, things are looking good for the Crocetti family. Crocetti herself is absolutely thrilled to be back in an office (it has been 20 years!); she adores her team of four women who are each powerhouses themselves, and the kids wave happily whenever they see their mom around school. There have been transitions of course. Mondays are a particular challenge with the kids’ after-school schedules that require a complex flow chart to keep track of which parent or ayi will pick up/drop off which kid at which class. But Crocetti’s husband Giuseppe and ever-helpful ayi, as well as neighbours and friends, have all stepped in and offered help. You know you’re special when the whole community around you is willing to lend a hand when you are in need, and all it takes is for you to say “yes.”

That was one of the hard parts for Crocetti during the transition: going from the one who offers to help working parents pick up their kids if they were late, to the one receiving the offer. But saying “yes” has freed her from the guilt and limitations of her newly full days. Plus, it’s helped her to realize where she’s truly needed at home; it wasn’t at homework time, as the kids have now gained the self-discipline to do their homework without mom’s guidance. Crocetti does lament that her home cooking hasn’t been missed since her ayi took over the cooking duties, but she realizes that that’s probably a good thing. 

Crocetti has this piece of advice to offer other parents out there, whether they are thinking of transitioning back to the workforce after a parenting hiatus or whether they are thinking of transitioning into full-time parenting: “Talk to everybody and ask them anything! Make connections. The majority of opportunities that become a reality have been discovered over coffee.” 

On Jan 26, Beijing City International School (BCIS) inaugurated its APEX Lab on school premises, heralding a step into the future of education at the International Baccalaureate (IB)-accredited school. The opening event was the culmination of a week’s worth of interactive robotics experiences and also hosted local award-winning innovator and founder of Tiangong Robotics, Xiao Jun, in a panel discussion with students, teachers and parents alike.

Functioning as both a tech-driven space and an intelligent robotics learning hub, the BCIS APEX Lab (also referred to as “The APEX”) aims to deliver a unique teaching experience and hands-on engagement for teachers and students. The APEX is a natural step up from the elementary school’s Maker Space and the middle school’s Design Technology Lab. It serves as a hub for learning, showcasing, and competitions, extending the school’s existing technology education initiatives. The word “apex” signifies the highest point, and in this case refers to the pursuit of academic excellence at BCIS as well as the school’s commitment to achieving outstanding accomplishments in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The aim is to lead innovation, adopt cutting-edge technology, and ensure the school remains at the forefront of tech education.

A week before the launch event, coffe-making and SRT fruit-sorting robots made their debut in the school cafeteria to spark students’ curiosity and encourage them to understand robot performance characteristics through observation and operation. Furthermore, the school collaborated with industry-leading robot education project developers to share insights with high school students on the “journey from maker to entrepreneur” and how they transform passion for robots into viable entrepreneurial projects.

BCIS believes that future education is not about describing the future but inspiring students to create it. True to that belief, student representative Jiarong revealed the collaborative efforts of teachers and students in designing The APEX. The construction involved converting an unused space into the envisioned learning environment, with students participating in 3D modeling and planning. Over nearly two years, the center was equipped with classroom robots, including existing LEGO EV3 and VEX V5 for both in-class and extracurricular teaching. Industrial robots were also introduced to emphasize practicality and problem-solving capabilities, inspiring students to think about future exploration areas.

With the launch of The APEX as a starting point, BCIS students will explore unmanned warehouses in e-commerce platforms, teachers will continue to iterate and upgrade tech courses, and the school will host large-scale robot competitions, focusing on cutting-edge technology to contribute to the deep integration of technological innovation and socio-economic development in the education industry.

Tom Egerton, principal of BCIS, states: “The APEX fits with our strategic direction of a personalized approach to education, developing collaboration and leadership skills. It challenges, inspires and empowers our students to dream big, aim high and reach their pinnacle. We hope in time ‘Meet you at The APEX’ becomes a common phrase at BCIS for parents, students, and teachers to gather to learn.”

Images: Courtesy of BCIS

KEEP READING: