Introduction
It is well established that critical thinking, project design, analytical and problem-solving skills, are abilities essential for enhancing deep and applied learning.
These abilities are required to navigate university studies, life and job success. Yet, many students go to university, and even graduate from university, lacking the skills essential to cultivate these crucial abilities.
Imagine students confidently presenting their research findings at a science fair, explaining their research methodology and drawing insightful conclusions. This level of critical thinking and communication is achievable with the right approach to research integration.
It is well established that critical thinking, project design, analytical and problem-solving skills, are abilities essential for enhancing deep and applied learning.
These abilities are required to navigate university studies, life and job success. Yet, many students go to university, and even graduate from university, lacking the skills essential to cultivate these crucial abilities.
Imagine students confidently presenting their research findings at a science fair, explaining their research methodology and drawing insightful conclusions. This level of critical thinking and communication is achievable with the right approach to research integration.
The week served as a platform for RPQ students to showcase their projects, share insights, and foster collaboration across disciplines.
Highlights of the Week’s Activities
• Poster Presentations
23 posters were selected for presentation showcasing an excellent mix of specialized disciplines, including the use of Monoclonal Antibodies for Cancer Treatment, or The Tangible Impact of Nucleophilic Substitution on Chemical Reactions, to cross-disciplinary projects such as the Development of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Alternatives to Combat Climate Change, or Integrating AI to Learn and Model Consumers Phycological and Cultural Differences to Design International Marketing Strategies.
All the presented projects are university-level quality, portraying our students’ high-quality learning.
• Keynote Speaker
A wonderful Keynote talk by Emma Wang, an SCIE alumna, who came to speak on her past and present research experiences.
Emma’s research journey in her own words: “During my time in SCIE, I wrote six academic papers in A1 and A2, took part in the British Sociological Association’s essay competition, and completed an EPQ on China’s “Double Reduction” education policy.
The talk I present at SCIE is a policy analysis presented for the Posters in Parliament event and the British Conference of Undergraduate Research.
My academic research mainly focuses on educational equality, education policy reforms, gender empowerment and international development. I’ve received offers from Harvard, UPenn, Cambridge, LSE, and UCL for my master’s.
I hope my journey can inspire some of you, and I encourage you all to find what you’re passionate about and chase it with confidence.”
• Display of In-house Produced Research Guides
The guides have been developed to facilitate navigating Research Projects, with many tips, completed exemplars, full lesson plans and outlines to develop the key skills necessary for level 3 RPQs.
• Roundtable Discussions
The week had three days of round table discussions, designed to spart discussion or three key topics in research:
1) Role of Research in Education.
2) Ethics of Research.
3) Impact of AI on Research and Education.
The discussions were very lively, students actively participated in the discussions.
• Synthetic Biology University-level Techniques
One of our iGEM students devised a workshop to teach advanced research techniques at our specialised iGEM laboratory.
The iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) is a worldwide synthetic biology competition that was initially aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate university students but has since expanded to include divisions for strong high school students.
iGEM is presented as “the heart of synthetic biology” – educating the next generation of leaders and workforce of the field.
A1 and A2 students during the two days of the iGEM workshop
Concluding Remarks
One of our iGEM students devised a workshop to teach advanced research techniques at our specialised iGEM laboratory.
The iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) is a worldwide synthetic biology competition that was initially aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate university students but has since expanded to include divisions for strong high school students.
iGEM is presented as “the heart of synthetic biology” – educating the next generation of leaders and workforce of the field.
Acknowledgments
Special commendations to the 23 students whose posters were selected for presentation, they are:
Hardy Li, Claudia Che, Presley Wang, Charles Lei, Rich Zha, Tony Yuan, Siyu Wu, Annie Zhu, Tianna Wu, Eva Deng, Samantha Chacin Melendez, Kimi Gong, Louis Liao, Jason Zhang, Evan Ding, Jimmy Huang, Sam Pan, Chanel Yang, Charles Song, Emily Shen, Tony Li, Sage Xu, Sonny Meng.
Congratulations to Charles Lei, winner of the best research poster competition, the poster entitled: “Beyond the Classroom: The Tangible Impact of Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions in Everyday Life”.
Special commendation to Luci Cai, for conceiving the iGEM workshop and who over two days taught, a group of students, synthetic biology (Genetic Engineering) techniques.
Commendation to RPQ teachers involved during the week’s events: Mr. Lewis and Mr. Andrew played integral roles during the events, including coordinating round table discussions. Mr. Alex, Ms. Connie, Mr. Niall and Mr. Phillip for their participation during the round table discussions.
Our gratitude and appreciation to the SSO personnel for their support in arranging all the printing, including accommodating several last-minute requests.
I would like to thank our Academic Deputy Principal, Mr. Richard Driscoll, for suggesting the “Celebrating Research Week”, for his help and support during the planning stages, and for his involvement during roundtable discussions.
- Article / Dr. Alirio, Head of Research Project Qualifications
