At Wellington College Education (China) – Hangzhou, we remain committed to placing exploration at the starting point and curiosity at the heart of learning, guiding our pupils into a genuine and expansive world of science. During this year's Science Week, a wide range of hands-on experiments, cross-disciplinary enquiries and interactive experiences enabled pupils to discover the beauty of science through practical investigation, while inspiring a deeper interest in the world through continuous questioning.

On Monday morning, the Primary School opened this year's Science Week with a thought-provoking Science Week Assembly. The theme, 'Scientists and Science +', aimed to help pupils understand how scientists drive the world forward and how science intersects with various fields to support society's growth and innovation.

At the start of the assembly, Ms Carina posed two inspiring questions to all pupils:

These open-ended prompts immediately sparked pupils' curiosity and laid the foundation for deeper thinking throughout the week.

The assembly then welcomed Ms Wu from Yimuhe (Hangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., who delivered an engaging talk titled 'AI for Super-Food'. Beginning with the foods pupils encounter every day, she introduced the scientific principles behind plant breeding, explained why plants sometimes need human support, and demonstrated the crucial role artificial intelligence now plays in modern agriculture. Through her vivid explanations, pupils realised that science is not confined to laboratories—it is quietly reshaping every grain of food that reaches our tables.

Following this, Ms Jacqueline Luo from Zhejiang Humanoid Robotics Innovation Centre led pupils on a fascinating journey through more than 70 years of robot development with her talk, 'Robot Evolution: From Blueprints to Everyday Companions.' From the conceptual machines of the 1950s to today's intelligent robots equipped with 'artificial brains', and from industrial robotic arms to service robots designed for companionship, she demonstrated how artificial intelligence empowers robots to better understand and support human needs. Pupils were not only amazed but also gained their first real sense that technological progress is already woven into their everyday lives.

After the two insightful presentations, several pupil representatives joined both guests on stage for a round-table discussion. The pupils' questions were direct, imaginative and full of curiosity. The guests responded with patience and clarity, addressing pupils' doubts while encouraging them to keep asking questions and continue exploring the world around them.

Beyond the assembly, the Primary School also undertook an innovative approach to classroom learning by introducing humanoid robots into real teaching scenarios. During interactive sessions involving both teachers and pupils, the robots asked questions, explained concepts and even adjusted their responses based on pupil feedback. Through these activities, pupils not only acquired new knowledge but also experienced firsthand how technology can transform learning, unlocking exciting possibilities for future education.

Reflecting on this week's scientific journey, it is clear that every pupil in our classrooms became a curious young scientist—keen to question, eager to explore and brave in seeking answers. They discovered problems through experiments, found solutions through collaboration, and understood the value of science through meaningful interaction. Each attempt was a spark between curiosity and wisdom; every bright pair of eyes reflected the boundless possibilities that science offers.

This year's Science Week was an exciting exploration of scientific concepts, hands-on experiments, and interactive investigations designed to inspire curiosity and foster a love for science among our KS3 pupils. With a diverse range of activities spanning physics, chemistry, biology and more, Science Week proved to be an unforgettable experience for learners and educators alike, allowing their inquisitiveness to take them on an exciting science journey driven by curiosity.

In addition to the Friday assembly, pupils also took part in In-Class Investigations throughout the week. These included building a DIY robot to explore forces, motion, and energy in physics; creating bath bombs to investigate chemical reactions in chemistry; and performing DNA extraction using grapes for a hands-on look at molecular biology. Each activity challenged pupils' thinking, encouraged problem-solving, and deepened their understanding of scientific phenomena. Science Week 2025-2026 also highlighted the importance of teamwork, critical thinking and creativity, as pupils worked together to solve problems and conduct experiments.

It was a week that truly celebrated the marvels of science and inspired the next generation of innovators, explorers and thinkers.