News
Apr 23 2024
Empowering future innovators & leaders
Cecilia PEI
The term "Innovator" in English not only denotes those who invent and create but also encompasses those who drive change and development. At the heart of this definition lies the crucial distinction between leadership and followership. BCIS, with its unwavering belief in shaping the future of education, provides a fertile ground for innovation. Each day unfolds with moments of leadership and innovation, inspiring students to unleash their personal leadership and collaboration skills. This ethos not only impacts their immediate surroundings but also ripples out to the broader world.
Underpinning this educational philosophy is the understanding that innovation is more than just inventing new products or technologies; it is an attitude and behavior that challenges the status quo, solves problems, meets needs, and positively impacts the surrounding world. Consequently, students at BCIS integrate the spirit of innovation into their daily lives and learning, becoming forces that drive change.
The recent opening ceremony of the APEX at BCIS marked a milestone in its commitment to future-focused education. Last week, 12 teams from five different schools converged in this innovative space to participate in the ACAMIS Lego Robotics Competition. BCIS proudly hosted and fielded four teams, comprising students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades who took on various roles within their teams: designers, programmers, operators, and more. They showcased their creative robot concepts to judges and navigated their robots through a series of tasks.
Design and Technology Team Leader Ashley, as their mentor, shared his insights into the students' preparation for the competition. Starting from the second semester, the students diligently worked on their robots and meticulously tested their robots in the newly opened APEX, checking their programming and assembly was fit for purpose, ensuring their sensor triggers were smooth, and making sure their steering angles and movements were correct. Ashley highlighted the significant advantage of the APEX space, providing a more systematic and spacious environment compared to past preparations in the design and technology lab. Here, they could practice, simulate challenge scenarios, and brainstorm in the teaching area on the mezzanine floor.
Throughout the preparation, teachers offered necessary guidance, pointing out potential solutions to problems. However, they refrained from interfering with the students' innovative process, encouraging them to tackle challenges, apply their imagination, and utilize their acquired knowledge and skills in collaborative teamwork.
Beyond being a classroom and competition venue, the APEX stands as a symbol of future-oriented education at BCIS, fostering more opportunities for exchanges. Following the successful Lego competition, the APEX is poised to host the ACAMIS VEX competition on May 29th, inviting more students to delve into the excitement and challenges of robotics technology in this dynamic learning space.
Simultaneously, our entrepreneurially minded students are gearing up for the upcoming Avenir business event, created by BCIS students and organized in collaboration with teachers. Last year saw 10 teams from BCIS participating, sharing creative business plans aimed at addressing environmental, cultural, or industry-specific challenges. This year, community members are refining their business plans, preparing to present their concepts, marketing strategies, products, services, and financial forecasts to global practitioners and expert judges from finance, technology, and advertising fields.
Furthermore, some are gearing up for the BCISMUN Model United Nations Conference scheduled at BCIS on April 27th and 28th. Apart from BCISMUN extracurricular activity members, students from over 10 international schools in Beijing and surrounding areas will participate. Previous participation in two Model United Nations conferences has allowed BCIS members to develop their leadership and collaboration skills, honing their abilities to reach consensus in negotiations and seek win-win solutions to global issues. The upcoming conference's theme, The Power of Youth, will prompt students to explore the roles and responsibilities of the world’s youth in areas such as sustainable consumption and production, gender rights, cybersecurity, and digital citizenship. This aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of global citizenship, recognizing the interconnectedness of the world, the significance of regional and cultural understanding, and empathy. Through this, students discover how to actively contribute to solving today's global challenges.
This year, BCIS is excited to provide an updated scholarship program, introducing two new scholarships open to external applicants: the Future Leaders Scholarship and the APEX Innovators Scholarship. These scholarships aim to inspire and empower innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, nurturing the development of outstanding individuals' creativity and intellect, aligning with BCIS’educational philosophy.
If you are seeking a learning journey filled with opportunities and challenges, where you can explore your potential and realize infinite possibilities for the future, we warmly invite you to apply to join BCIS' scholarship program!