On July 1, 2024, the 2024 Biodiversity Theme Camp of 2024 UN SDG Science and Innovation Training Camp for Jing'an Children & Youth commenced at Jing'an Education Cooperation & Exchange Center. It is sponsored by the Education Bureau of Jing'an District, undertaken by Jing'an Education Cooperation & Exchange Center, guided by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) CIFAL Shanghai, and co-organized by Shanghai iMake Education & Technology Co., Ltd. Nearly 30 junior high school students, selected from all middle schools in Jing'an District, were given this rare opportunity to join the camp.

Based on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, this camp integrated humanities and social sciences with STEM technology learning. Biodiversity holds great significance for the health and well-being of humans and nature, and is also an indispensable and crucial part of sustainable development. Students can learn about SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land), explore the habitats of different creatures and the impact of human activity on the biological environment, and learn to protect and sustainably use natural resources through sci-tech means.

[The Opening Ceremony]

SDG Science and Technology Innovation Training Camp is an interdisciplinary sci-tech innovation learning project based on the 17 sustainable development goals of the UN. It aims to help students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to solve problems in real life through programming, engineering design and other means; to help Jing'an teenagers expand their international horizons, establish a deep understanding of themselves and the world and the awareness of a shared earth, and cultivate creative global citizens with international vision.

At the opening ceremony, Wu Huihua, Director of Jing'an Education Cooperation & Exchange Center, extended a warm welcome to the participants on behalf of the camp organizers. She hoped that the excellent student representatives who stood out in the screening would hold high the banner of realizing SDGs, seize the opportunity, and be immersed in the 6-day study, in which they could open their minds, take actions, and cooperate with each other. She really looked forward to seeing their learning results at the closing ceremony, and hoped that they would strive to become outstanding contributors to a better future of the world.

[Understanding SDG Biodiversity]

When the brief opening ceremony concluded, the students embarked on their learning journey. The relaxing ice-breaking games such as biology common sense Q&A and Draw Something help students get closer to each other and blend into this camp, bringing laughter and vitality to the classroom.

Under Ms. Ma's [01]guidance, students learned the background and importance of the 17 SDGs. After watching the SDG intro video, they had a heated discussion on the problems facing the earth and human beings. When they saw pictures of the polluted earth, animals killed by eating marine garbage, and people with no access to food or clean potable water, they were in great shock and became more determined to find solutions for these global issues.

[Understanding Ecological Diversity & Designing Habitats]

In the afternoon course, students learned about Arduino, an electronic hardware. They also learned this electronic hardware, programming technology, and other related scientific and technological content in the coming days. Through the study and practice of intelligent devices, students became more familiar with their working principles, which provided more possibilities for the exploration of further applications and helped them understand "why technology is an important means to solve SGDs".

Research & Design was one of the crucial parts of the whole curriculum. Under the guidance and help of teachers, students explored the ecosystem. After learning about the types and composition of ecosystems, they had a clearer and more holistic understanding of ecosystems as they delved deeper into this area.

The design and production of habitat models gave full play to the talent and creativity of all students. They worked in groups to make wonderful models with different styles based on their knowledge of the ecosystem. Through the design and production of the model, students have gained a deeper understanding and reflection of what they studied. In this journey, each and every student made concerted efforts, fully demonstrating solidarity, creativity, and cooperation spirit in teamwork.

The first day of the camp was wonderful and fruitful. Tomorrow, the students will focus on intelligent projects. We are looking forward to their excellent performance!

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