Creativity lights up childhood, and technology weaves dreams! SUIS Qingpu’s 5th Art and Science Festival Closing Ceremony

Science and technology illuminated the gymnasium, setting the stage for a burst of creativity! The SUIS Qingpu Science and Art Festival has finished, and it was indeed spectacular! The place where dreams came true, where future scientists and talented artists of tomorrow were born. Attendees witnessed the incredible fusion of technology and art at this wonderful event.

This year’s theme of our Art and Science Festival was “Ancient Echoes: Discovering the DNA of Pre-14th Century Art”. The whole school community – teachers, students, and parents – came together for an unforgettable experience: a celebration of creativity and a testament to the depth of integration of science and art!

The Art and Science Festival was a month full of activities: expert guests led workshops on different topics, such as the history of Chinese ships; aviation; erhu music; shadow puppetry and the skills of voice actors. The experts amazed the students with interesting topics and made them feel like they were travelling through time and space.

The art activities were unforgettable! From Ancient Greek sidewalk chalk art and Northern Wei art to pre-Qin style campus murals and Shang Dynasty style 3D paintings. Students explored the creativity of ancient times. Upholding the school’s tradition, Grade 4 students immersed themselves in preparing a Chinese Shadow Play performance. Students impressed the teachers with their drawing and creativity skills through the Art Competition “Time and Space Travel”.

One of the most exciting events for Grade 4 students was preparations for the shadow puppetry show. Inspired by the Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio’s “Ne Zha’s Adventure”, young artists took on the role of shadow puppet masters. Under the guidance of experienced art teachers, the students eagerly crafted their own props and took them to the stage, breathing life into this art form. This hands-on shadow art workshop was an exciting classroom adventure that beautifully fused tradition and modernity. The children discovered the enchanting allure of shadow play, dove deep into the rich heritage of classic animation, and ignited their creative spirit. Using their own hands and minds, they shaped not just puppets, but also the seeds of tomorrow’s artistry.

The principal Ms Sunny Huang and Co-principal Mr Adam delivered an inspiring speech. They gave the thumbs-up to the activities during the Art and Science Festival with praise to the students for their outstanding performances. She inspired the young talents to nurture their passion for science, technology, and art, carrying it forward into their academic journeys and beyond. Emphasising the importance of curiosity and creativity, he urged them to continue exploring, being innovative, and striving for excellence. Qualities that would shape not only their skills but also their character.

The Closing Ceremony continued with an absolutely stunning fashion show. Confident young designers modeled their handmade creations – innovative fusions of ancient traditions and modern style.

The Grade 1 students embodied Ancient Greek elegance, with their flowing white robes and olive leaf crowns moving gracefully like young philosophers coming to life. Grade 2 imagined Gothic art with striking originality. With aesthetic use of black cardboard and silver paintings, they crafted headdresses and intricate architectural motifs, becoming living statues of medieval cathedrals. Grade 3 models looked very impressive wearing ancient Chinese bronze themed costumes. The children used cardboard and bronze-coloured paint to create traditional patterns and accessories for their costumes. Finally, Grade 4 students brought the Neolithic pottery culture to the stage with their red ceramic clothes that were carefully painted with fish, frogs, and simple patterns. Each piece of work looked like a precious piece from a museum.

Everyone did well at the talent show, with performances of singing, dancing, and other great acts that got the audience excited. The students showed their understanding and personal interpretations of ancient art through their artistic expressions.

The closing ceremony also included a special performance – The Parents’ Fashion Show. They were wearing makeup and demonstrated breathtaking outfits as they walked on the stage. They looked just like professional models, as the children were excitedly cheering!

The event ended with an awards ceremony. The Vice-Principal Ms Helen Liu presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the drawing competition. These talented students were pleased and proud of their artwork, and excited to create more in the future.

The STEAM team organised a special part of the closing ceremony called “Amazing Air Expedition”, which took place in the school gymnasium. With the slogan “It’s not magic, it’s science!”, students took part in fun and interactive science experiments. This year, Grade 5 students were “Little Science Tutors” and helped their younger classmates learn through hands-on activities.

Throughout the Art and Science Festival month, each grade engaged in specialised thematic explorations. First grade investigated air buoyancy principles through a paper airplane competition, while second grade conducted comparative experiments analysing air pressure and resistance. Third and fourth grade students experienced lift force firsthand via “air surfing” activities. Finally ,the festival’s highlighted feature was the fifth graders’ innovative demonstrations, where they translated complex scientific concepts into interactive displays using exhibition boards, models, and live explanations. This effectively bridged theoretical knowledge with practical application.

At the closing ceremony, twelve creative zones formed a mini science paradise. Tutors in white lab coats guided students, who demonstrated plant-air relationships in “Botanists on the Air” and explored heat flow in “Hot Air Sprites”. The most popular was “Rescue Mission” where students learned through hands-on fun.

The “Air Surfing” competition stood out: younger students launched paper airplanes, while older ones attempted a Guinness World Record for “not landing on paper.” Meanwhile, the “AI” and “Future Navigator” exhibits, supported by Mushroom Cloud Creative Space and the Shipbuilding Museum, inspired students with the use of future technologies.

This science and technology event was full of children’s curiosity and ingenuity. It was demonstrated by commitment and responsibility of the older students and sowed the seeds of science in every child’s heart. As one of the little science tutors said: “Seeing the younger siblings’ sparkling eyes makes all the effort worth it!”. We believe this love of science and the spirit of exploration will take root in our students’ hearts and blossom into a brighter light!

The Art and Science Festival ended successfully with a great closing ceremony. The event may be over, but the children have been inspired to be curious and creative. In the future, students at SUIS Qingpu will keep exploring, creating new ideas, and enjoying the world of science and art. SUIS Qingpu aims to help students grow and achieve even more in the future.