As a student who has experienced both American and Chinese education systems, there is no doubt that Chinese education system is far from perfect. This is not to say that the American education system is perfect, but it pays more attention in developing students’ connections with other human beings and with nature.
I went through six years of elementary school and three years of middle school in China. It was really tough for me as a teenager. I was under a lot of stress, and I didn’t really have a good time during school. Moreover, the education there made me feel isolated and self-centered. That was why I chose to come to the U.S. to look for a higher quality education. I have been studying in the U.S. since sophomore year of high school, and this year is my eighth year here as an international student. Having fun, learning through mistakes, team working skills, and communication skills are aspects that the U.S. education is doing better than the Chinese education. The education in China teaches kids grit and the mindset that working hard is the key to success. It is a wonderful mindset to have early as kids, and it is how I developed my work ethic. However, the reality of test taking and grueling competition disconnects students from each other and nature, puts tremendous amount of pressure on students, and restrain students’ creativity and curiosity. I want to seek potential alternatives for the current Chinese education curriculum and infrastructure at the elementary level, where work ethic, curiosity, and human connections can be developed for kids at the most precious learning ages,
As a future architect, I have the responsibility to help improve the learning experience of millions of Chinese kids.
CURIOSITY
AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT ATTEMPTS TO MEDIATE THE COMPLICATED PROBLEM OF EDUCATION IN CHINA
Due to the fast-growing economy and a large population base of 1.39 billion people, China has one of the most competitive and stressful education systems in the world. The system is a selection process that weeds out students who do not have high enough standard tests scores and only admits a portion of students to the college level education.
This system results in crushing academic pressure for students, and they barely have time for activities outside the classroom because of long school hours and heavy homework load. It exposes students to the danger of sensory deprivation, which is “a process by which someone is deprived of normal external stimuli such as sight and sound for an extended period of times”. In such an environment, Chinese students are facing multiple health problems both physically and mentally: myopia, obesity, anxiety, and even depression. Study shows that over 70% Chinese youth suffer from myopia, and the childhood obesity in China is accelerating.
Moreover, this formulaic education system restricts students’ creativity and curiosity. It often causes disconnection between students and nature and between students and each other.
This thesis is looking to mitigate those negative impacts by designing an elementary school in Ningbo, China which will host 1800 students. Combining Science Museum, traditional lecture space, and common spaces feature different natural elements is the main concept of this thesis. Sloped running track and flat walking path meander through the site in the air to provide students and faculty the passage to different parts of the project and the river.
Site Information
Ningbo is located at the middle of Chinese East coast, and it is the economic center of the south Yangtze River Delta. Ever since Tang Dynasty, Ningbo has played an important role as a trading center for South East China because it is the intersection of the three major inland rivers: Fenghua River, Yao River, and Yong River, and it also has easy access to the open ocean east of China. There are historical remainings in Ningbo showing human settlement seven thousand years ago.
In 2019 GDP ranking among Chinese cities, Ningbo takes the 15th spot. Ningbo is not only one of the most developed cities in China but also a city with rich culture and history. It has its own dialect “Ningbo Hua”, and it is also the birthplace of various types of operas and food.
Interactive Exploration
Fun Stairs are stairs that made with MDFs and springs, and there are squeaky toys placed between the MDFs. It makes different noises as one steps on them. The idea behind this project is very simple: if stairs are more fun to go up to, more students will want to take the stairs more frequently. It encourages students to take more stairs. It can add some more physical exercises to students’ daily routine, and the different sound it makes can stimulate brains and help to prevent sensory deprivation.
Vellum Furniture Competition: Study shows being in the same environment for too long does not promote mental health, physical well-being, learning efficiency, or creativity, etc. Imagine coming to school everyday and assemble your desk surface the way you want. It can be red wood stained with Danish Oil; colorful acrylic that you can write on; digitally fabricated pencil holder and cup holder; or a planter with beautiful plants, etc. Spark creativity, joy, and change it whenever you want!
Big Picture
Exploring as Education: The Museum
In the Science Museum, giving students convenient accesses to different exhibitions and opportunities to free explore could cultivate their curiosities and creativity. Because of the heavy use of energy of a Science Museum, energy harvesting through solar, wind, and rainwater will be applied. Titanium Dioxide will be painted on the facade of the museum for its smog absorbing quality when interacting with sunlight. Inside the museum, there are embedded Exhibition Spaces which showcase different geometries, colors, and materials to draw students to further explore. School should be a place that students want to go to and spend time to become an effective educational vehicle. More interactivity, more kinetic learning, and more opportunities for free exploring could contribute to building a more fulfilling and efficient learning experience.
Embedded Exhibition Space
Energy Harvesting
Looking towards Fenghua River inside the museum
Visual/Audio Learning: Lecture Rooms
In the traditional lecture space, conventional visual and audio learning can take place. Different grades are spread out differently, so students at different ages have more opportunities to interact with each other.
Connecting to Nature: Common Spaces
There are six different common spaces, and each one represents a different element of nature. A group can choose to have class in one of them if they need a change of scenery from traditional lecture rooms. They can also serve as spaces for individuals to socialize, meditate, or escape. The sound of waterfall, the smell of blooming flowers, and the singing of little birds can bring peace and relaxation to students’ minds and bodies. Giving people a variety of spatial experiences to choose can prevent sensory deprivation.
