This Thursday, nearly one hundred senior school pupils and teachers embarked on a distinctive 'From Classroom to Laboratory' scientific journey, jointly organised by the Transfar Foundation and our school. Designed to ignite pupils' scientific curiosity and cultivate interdisciplinary thinking, the visit provided them with an authentic academic experience, exposing them to both the wonder and the rigour of research in a real-world setting.
The tour began with a warm welcome from Ms Zhang Jie, a Governor of the Hiba Academy Hangzhou School Affairs Board and Deputy Secretary-General of the International Cooperation Department at Westlake University, who outlined the university's educational vision and developmental journey. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Ms Lauren, covering campus layout, governance structure, and talent development programmes, through which pupils gained insight into Westlake University's dedication to fostering an international and forward-looking environment for high-level research and teaching. Immersed in bright, spacious classrooms, cutting-edge laboratories, and a tidy, organised campus, the pupils were deeply inspired by the educational atmosphere of this higher education institution, prompting deeper reflection on their academic paths and future aspirations.
Professor Zhang Xiaoming from the School of Medicine then delivered an engaging lecture titled 'Follow Your Curiosity and Keep Exploring.' He opened with a thought-provoking question — "Why do boxers wear gloves?" — and used it to introduce concepts from anatomy, mechanics and physiology, guiding pupils step by step from everyday phenomena to underlying scientific principles.
Throughout the lecture, Professor Zhang posed questions closely linked to daily life that prompted active thinking, such as: How much force can a fist generate? Which fingers are the weakest? Why is it difficult to move fingers independently when playing the piano, especially the little finger? How do you open a bottle? How do you drive a screw into wood with a screwdriver? Do fathers and sons carry the same Y chromosome?
Each question sparked lively discussion, creating a dynamic and reflective atmosphere. In closing, Professor Zhang emphasised: "Never stop asking questions, and never stop searching for answers." These words planted a seed of scientific curiosity in the minds of every pupil.
Later, PhD student Guo Fang, Executive Dean of the Joint Academy on Future Humanity, introduced the Academy's pioneering research on frontier topics in humanities, technology and social development to the pupils. He invited representatives from two key research themes to present their work in detail. Guo Fang noted that the Joint Academy on Future Humanity is China's first interdisciplinary research platform co‑established by Renmin University of China and Westlake University, dedicated to exploring cutting‑edge interdisciplinary topics concerning the future of humankind.
As PhD student Xu Xiaoyu from Westlake University commented, "This visit aimed to convey the Academy's vision, founding philosophy, and forward‑looking perspective to pupils, encouraging them to reflect more profoundly on the future and inspiring them to become creators of tomorrow."
After the lecture, pupils divided into small groups to tour key research laboratories at Westlake University, including the Artificial Photosynthesis & Solar Fuels Laboratory, the Biochemistry & Molecular Teaching Laboratory and the university library. At each location, researchers provided detailed explanations of the experimental equipment's functions, the scientific principles and the broader implications of their research. Pupils observed advanced research facilities in operation, participated in hands-on experiments and engaged in discussions with researchers to exchange ideas and ask questions.
The highlight of this campus visit is not only providing pupils with firsthand exposure to a cutting-edge research environment but also inspiring interdisciplinary thinking and nurturing an innovative mindset. Through direct interaction with professors and researchers at Westlake University, our pupils gained a deeper understanding that scientific exploration transcends mere theoretical knowledge; it is an integrative process of observation, reflection and hands-on practice. The real‑world examples and cognitive challenges embedded throughout the visit helped pupils recognise that science extends far beyond laboratory walls and is closely connected to daily life.
Consistent with our educational philosophy, we believe the purpose of education reaches well beyond knowledge transfer. It is about awakening pupils' curiosity about the world, kindling a sustained passion for inquiry, and fostering the confidence to ask questions and the skill to pursue evidence‑based answers boldly. Through science-themed visits, pupils engage with abstract concepts in tangible ways, broaden their intellectual horizons through meaningful dialogue, and sharpen their capacity for independent judgment through critical thinking. These are the enduring competencies and inner strength that a proper education strives to cultivate.
Looking ahead, Hiba Academy Hangzhou will continue to bridge the classroom and the real world, empowering pupils to engage with cutting-edge research, broaden their perspectives, deepen their passions, and strengthen their thinking, thereby laying a strong foundation for their future academic pursuits and personal growth.
Science is the key that guides humanity to understand the world; education, meanwhile, is the light that illuminates the mind and lights the way forward.
