Shanghai Natural History Museum Won the First Prize of "The Second National Scientific Innovation Project-Based Study Option Collection Activity"

Recently, the winners of "The Second National Scientific Innovation Project-Based Study Option Collection Activity" sponsored by the Youth Science and Technology Center of China Association for Science and Technology, China Association of Children's Science Instructors, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education and Science Education Research Institute of Beijing Normal University were announced. The original project-based study option-"Exploration of Lotus Leaf Effect" Project-Based Study of Liu Yazhu, Shu Shen and Hang Huan from Exhibition and Education Center of Shanghai Natural History Museum won the first prize. This was also the second consecutive year for Shanghai Natural History Museum to win the first prize of this activity.

"Exploration of Lotus Leaf Effect" Project-Based Study is a project-based learning scheme designed from the real problems around us, focusing on the core question of "Why can a lotus come out of dirty mud without stain". Students carried out exploration activities with science popularization videos, scientific experiments and other resources to reveal the scientific mysteries behind literary works through seeking plants with lotus leaf effect in nature. They understand the internal mechanism of super-hydrophobicity and self-cleaning of lotus leaves and other plant leaves through a series of exploration experiments. In addition, they contribute to the bionic application of lotus leaf effect through the creative design of bionic product scheme. The option focused on developing the high-order thinking ability of students, and improving the evidence-based logical reasoning ability, communication and cooperation ability and innovative thinking and creative design ability of students. 

The Collection Activity aimed to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the central conference on talent-related work, strive to achieve the goal of improving the scientific literacy of teenagers in the Outline of the National Scheme for Scientific Literacy (2021-2035), actively implement the task of improving the scientific literacy of teenagers in less-developed areas in the "Light Chasing Action-Rural Youth Scientific Literacy Improvement Plan" project jointly carried out with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in China, enhance the professional ability of science and technology educators to carry out project-based and cooperative study activities, and cultivate the scientific spirit, innovative ability and critical thinking of teenagers.