As part of our IGS Maker Expedition, the second Summer Camp cohort took a trip beyond the classroom—this time into the countryside, to spend a day at a local farm just outside of Hefei.

In line with our guiding question, “How can we explore scientific concepts in everyday objects and activities?”, this visit offered students a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world and engage in learning through real-life experiences.

In contrast to the vibrant energy of the school setting, the farm provided a welcome moment of calm. Surrounded by green fields, quiet corners, and open skies, the students had space to slow down, breathe deeply, and explore the world around them with fresh attention.

The day began with a hands-on tofu-making session—an activity that brought together biology, chemistry, and cultural learning. As they stirred, strained, and pressed soybeans, the children explored processes of transformation, heat, and time. It was a lesson in patience and precision, wrapped in the sensory experience of food.

Afterwards, the group had a chance to connect with the farm’s animals. Feeding goats, chickens, and rabbits not only delighted the students but also brought biology to life—offering insight into animal care, nutrition, and interdependence between humans and nature.

Following a well-deserved lunch break, the afternoon continued with a woodworking session. Under guidance, the children learned how to explore the structure of natural materials, and shape something with their own hands.

It was a chance to connect with the physical properties of wood—density, grain, texture—and apply both creativity and coordination in making.

All of these moments tied back to our week’s theme: seeing the scientific in the everyday. From the chemical process of making tofu to the biology of animal care and the physics of woodworking, the day at the farm gave our learners the chance to observe, question, and understand through experience.

With sun on their backs and wide eyes full of wonder, our students left the farm not only with new knowledge, but with a sense of connection to the world around them.