A Celebration of Inquiry and Sustainability: The Grade 5 Inquiry Fair

This year at SUIS Qingpu, the culmination of five years of Global Perspectives and Inquiry learning came to life in our Grade 5 Capstone Project: the Inquiry Fair.

From their very first year in primary school, our students have explored what it means to be thoughtful, curious, and globally-minded inquirers. They’ve worked through a wide range of topics, projects, and real-world challenges—truly becoming global learners who understand the importance of acting locally. This year, that spirit of inquiry reached new heights as our Grade 5 students tackled one of the most pressing issues of our time: sustainability.

Reimagining our school motto, SUIS Qingpu:The Future of Education, in Service to the World, our students took it one step further for the Inquiry Fair: SUIS Qingpu – In Service to a More Sustainable World. With that powerful idea in mind, each group selected a topic under the vast umbrella of sustainability—ranging from Pollution, Waste Management, Sustainable Transportation, and Sustainable Agriculture to Green Architecture and Renewable Energy.

This wasn’t just another classroom project. Students led their own investigations, diving into the full inquiry cycle—posing questions, conducting research, testing ideas, and preparing to teach others. For eight intensive weeks, these young changemakers transformed into subject experts, engaging in real-world learning experiences that extended beyond textbooks and classrooms.

Their efforts culminated in a dynamic school-wide fair, where the Grade 5 students became the teachers—guiding younger students through complex global issues in accessible, interactive, and meaningful ways. Posters, models, experiments, games, and multimedia presentations filled the second-floor lobby, turning it into a hub of innovation and purpose-driven learning.

For a select group of students, the stakes were even higher. Each Grade 5 class nominated one team to represent them in a head-to-head inquiry showcase in front of a panel of guest judges. These finalists had to go beyond explaining their topic—they had to present their ideas, answer challenging questions, and present clear, creative solutions to sustainability problems. The energy was high, the competition friendly but fierce, and the presentations nothing short of inspiring. It was a true celebration of voice, choice, and agency in student learning.

In a world that needs fresh ideas, bold thinkers, and compassionate doers, our students have shown that they are more than ready to rise to the challenge. The Inquiry Fair wasn’t just a display of what they’ve learned—it was a powerful reminder of what they’re capable of. As these young leaders prepare to move on to middle school, they leave behind more than a project—they leave a legacy of curiosity, action, and hope for a better, more sustainable world.