Forum · Record
The WLA Teens in the Academy Forum, a session bursting with vitality of the 3rd WLA Forum, unveiled on the morning of November 1. Some academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences including Ma Dawei, Yang Xiongli, and Xie Youbai, together with Xu Zhenghe, academician of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada, attended the forum as representatives of laureates and communicated with more than 50 teen scientists from all over the country。
Group photo of teen scientists Photo provided by WLA Forum
When were invited to communicate with the teen scientists, the academicians all managed to spare time for the forum despite their hectic schedule. They were greatly impressed by the children at the forum.
At the forum, eight representatives of teen scientists shared and displayed their achievements in scientific research, their visions for science and the future, etc.
“Why do straight-A students always score higher than Yao Ming’s height?”
Xie Ruiqi from Chongqing No.11 Middle School studied on the subject of “Preliminary Exploratory Research on the Influencing Factors of Examination Results” based on daily observations. By taking online courses, he mastered the mathematics matrix and modeling language related to machine learning; and by constructing the model of influencing factors, he obtained the attribution proportion in various dimensions. He found that the most significant factor is “the extra time invested in an average week since the last major exam.” Just as the saying goes: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Xie Ruiqi’s project sharing Photo provided by WLA Forum
“Check out my invention”
At the WLA Teens in the Academy Forum, Guo Qinsong took out from his bag a snake-like robot, which was the only physical display on the forum. Guo Qinsong, a student from Shanghai United International School Pudong Campus, noted in a rural field trip that overspray of pesticides is a common problem in agricultural production nowadays. Farmers basically rely on personal experience to determine which pesticide to use, and how much pesticide should be sprayed. Therefore, he proposed the “Comprehensive Solution for Pesticide Overspray Based on GoogleNet and MATLAB” to cope with this problem.
“It took me about two months to make this snake-like robot, and now it can slither in the field quickly and flexibly.”
Guo Qinsong finished his confident presentation, put the snake-like robot around his neck and walked off the stage. His sincere smile instantly enlivened the atmosphere.
Guo Qinsong’s snake-like robot Photo provided by WLA Forum
The presentations by other teen scientists are also fascinating, including the prevention and control of musical instrument noise, urban sports space planning, carbon dioxide composite materials to the preparation of reversible photochromic coatings and so on. The teen scientists practiced the three major steps of scientific research: discovering problems–thinking about problems–solving problems, demonstrating the thinking and practical abilities of the young generation. We are more than convinced than ever that curiosity and insight are the best nourishment for scientific literacy.
The following tablecloth discussion session brought the forum to a new climax. The 56 teen scientists were divided into 4 groups, with each group led by a laureate tutor for discussion. The topics were closely related to the hot issues in science and social development. If you think it is only “an oral composition with a given title,” then you are underestimating the potential of teen scientists!
“How do we define innovation in scientific research? How do research discoveries at different levels promote the development of scientific research?”
“Perhaps we should use big data to identify the existing problems and barriers before getting to solve the problems.”
“What do you think of the development of computer science?”
“The neural network model can also reflect the superiority of self-regulated learning.”
“…”
In 40 minutes, the teen scientists were not limited by the topics. Based on their own advantages and research projects, they communicated with their peers. When seeing two students having a fierce debate on a certain field with great excitement, you can imagine how these future scientists will learn from each other and exchange ideas when they grow up.
After discussion, the four groups used posters to illustrate the results of their group discussions on the topics, and then the laureates commented on the results of their discussions.
“I’ve got to say that these kids are more clever than me. I am really happy for them and admire their abilities.” Academician Yang Xiongli praised their brilliant performance. Academician Ma Dawei put forward requirements and expectations for them in terms of basic learning and scientific research mentality.
Discussion at the WLA Teens in the Academy Forum Photo provided by WLA Forum