Year 2 EdTech Integrated Learning - Under the Sea!

At BSB Shunyi, we are unlocking our students' learning potential by bringing the very best in teaching and technology into our classrooms.

1. Trip to the Beijing Aquarium

It was with great optimism that Year 2 approached our first scheduled curriculum trip of the school year. To allow the children an opportunity to further engross themselves in our current Topic theme of “Explorers’ and Art theme ‘Under the sea’, a trip to the Beijing Aquarium is the ideal location!

2 coaches of enthusiastic explorers arrived at our location and met our Tour guides for the day. The students were mesmerized as we set off on a scavenger hunt through the rainforest complete with our clipboard ocean species in search of marine life. Our guides were excellent and shared with us valuable information such as where different species can be found and what climate they needed to survive.

When arriving at the Shark village in the middle of the aquarium, we had to stop for a moment to take in the graceful movements of the sharks which glided effortlessly through the mere feet from our faces. If that wasn’t enough, we were then able to witness the playful nature of a beluga whale who seemed to bask in the children’s amazement as he acrobatically twisted and flipped through the water.

After a journey through the aquarium led us past, starfish, jellyfish, turtles, penguins, morays and so many other animals, the highlight for the children was the Dolphin and Sealion performance. The children clapped along and gasped in awe inspired amazement as the animals performed some breathtaking acrobatics.

On the way home the children drew pictures of their favourite moments at the aquarium. We will now be working on discussing where we would build an aquarium in our own school and the effects that it may have on the neighbouring areas.

2. Computing VR Headsets Experience

This visit was followed by a series of Computing classes using Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets where the students had a virtual visit to an aquarium filled with sharks. This VR session proved to be highly motivating and inspiring for the children.

Following the virtual visit, the students collaborated on a project in Minecraft Education where they built their own aquariums filled with a variety of marine animals. This project allowed the children to apply their knowledge gained from both the educational visit and virtual visit, while also encouraging their creativity and teamwork skills.

Click here to watch a video and feel their excitement!

EdTech at BSB

Overall, this integrated educational experience provided a unique and engaging way for the students to learn about the natural world and its inhabitants. It is through these innovative teaching methods that BSB hopes to instill a lifelong love of learning in our students.

Updates from Kieran Sear, Head of Year 2 and Rugera Wanjara, Primary Computing Leader