Innovate Today | CIS Innovation Conference, Campus Transforms into Large Maker Space

On Friday, May 10, CIS hosted the 2025 Innovation Fair — a vibrant celebration of technology and the arts on campus. More than just a school event, it was an immersive learning experience that broke down disciplinary boundaries and connected the present with the future.

From the opening ceremony to themed exhibitions, from STEAM challenges to student original creative showcases, the campus was filled with the energy of “exploration,” “expression,” and “co-creation.” Every student was a creator, and every space became a site where inspiration happened.

At the start of the event, Mr. Mush, a secondary school teacher, kicked things off by welcoming guests, parents, and the entire CIS community as they gathered to open the door to innovation together.

In his speech, CIS Principal Nathan stated: “‘Innovate today, lead tomorrow’ is not just our school motto — it’s our commitment to education. Innovation is not merely a skill taught in one subject; it is a core competency we aim to instill in the future leaders we are nurturing.”

On the day of the event, we also invited guests from industry and universities to provide deep insights and inspiration for the families, students, and staff in attendance.

Following that, the Beijiao Branch of the Shunde District Youth Academy of Sciences awarded CIS the title of “Innovation Talent Development Base” and announced Professor Tan Shengli from the School of Mathematical Sciences at East China Normal University as its Honorary Dean. This marks a significant step in CIS’s efforts to systematically introduce top-tier research resources to support students’ future development.

As one of the highlights of Innovation Fair, the VEX Robotics Challenge brought the event to an exciting climax. Student teams competed live in programming control, task execution, and strategic operation — a true simulation of engineering thinking and collaborative problem-solving.

The main Innovation Exhibition was held in the campus indoor basketball court, where students from all grades showcased creative projects around STEAM, culture, and social issues:

Using the principles of magnets to design a "fishing pond," enhancing young children's observation and focus skills.

Using clay and recycled materials to create prototypes of everyday tools, introducing the concept of "prototype design."

Inside specially designed glow-in-the-dark tents, students created their own glowing artworks, exploring the interaction between light and materials.

Creating custom slime, learning about mixing reactions and the principles of proportions.

Creating clay instruments, exploring the combination of sound principles and sculptural art.

Students designed and built their own boats, created maze structures, and set "traps," training their logic and spatial thinking skills.

Combining shapes and colors with art to create creative collage installations.

Showcasing multiple bridge structure projects, including suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, and truss bridges.

Dylan built a truss bridge using ice cream sticks, which can hold over 100 pounds. Both teachers and students took turns standing on the bridge to test its strength, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere.

Students use dice to determine random media challenges, testing their reaction time and memory.

Presenting historical events through comics, combining cultural literacy with visual storytelling.

Through information displays and models, everyone can experience the wisdom and historical evolution of Chinese inventions.

Using magnifying glasses to examine the microscopic structure of food slices, sparking students' curiosity and desire to explore the scientific mysteries behind everyday food.

The gallery showcases students' visual and written reflections on the theme of "innovation." A comment section is open to the audience, encouraging dialogue and expression, while a Polaroid photo wall captures every moment of inspiration and thought.

Innovation is also reflected in visual expression and interdisciplinary integration. On the other side of the exhibition area, a special project guided by art teachers and led by students is displayed:Innovation Fair Poster Design: Students created compositions, layouts, and hand-drawn illustrations around the theme of the "Innovation Fair."

"Learner Attributes Badge" Design: Students drew inspiration from the CIS learner attributes to create representative visual elements.

"Creative Instrument Design": Using materials of different textures, students created sound-producing instruments, conveying the fusion of science and art.

In addition to the exhibition area, there are several interactive scenes designed to engage all students in the school:

Innovation Sports: A series of challenges combining physical endurance and logic, designed to enhance collaboration and reaction skills in a fun and engaging way.

Clay Art Therapy : In a quiet corner, children connect with the earth through their hands, molding clay to express their thoughts and emotions—experiencing the healing power of creation.

 Innovation Day is not just a “showcase” — it is a snapshot of CIS’s ongoing commitment to Project-Based Learning (PBL), integrated STEAM education, and the cultivation of global competencies. Every project and every challenge stems from students’ authentic sense of inquiry, independent exploration, and collaborative teamwork.

As Principal Nathan said:"So I hope that at the very least, you come away from this morning thinking that I can try something new. I can be someone different... I want to believe with all my heart that sitting right in front of me now are some of the inventors and innovators of tomorrow."

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