September 15th and 16th the Grade 12 IB DP Science students explored Disneyland Shanghai to develop innovative, authentic questions for collaborative research, and connect their science learning to real-world issues. This year’s CSP Question was:
To what extent does the design of this space contribute to
positive interactions between human society and the environment?
During the CSP, students from different science classes worked together to take photographs of scientific phenomena and explain them using Claim, Evidence and Scientific Reasoning. This allowed for concepts across multiple subjects to be shared, helping students develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of knowledge. Moreover, through fieldwork, students were able to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of STEM- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Students collected a range of photographs as well as primary data, which was analyzed and evaluated upon return to school.
To maximize the time spent engaged in research work, we enlisted support from Disney Education Team. Students participated in the STEM Lesson “Behind the Attractions,” which included Disney history and origins, core elements of Attraction Design like Theme, Vehicle, and Trigger Points. The teamwork-focused STEM class incorporated engineering, math, and economic concepts. In this engaging, interactive course, students get an inside look at how Disney designs and uses technology to enhance experiences by immersing guests in our stories. From attraction design to ride capacity, students learn why technology is the most valuable and challenging tool to integrate into daily theme park operations.
Students started the Day at Barbosa’s Bounty for the STEM hands-on lesson, then rode the Battle for the Sunken Treasure/Pirates of the Caribbean ride, meeting for a summary lesson afterwards. The rest of the afternoon students had time to explore the park and apply concepts and techniques from the STEM lessons into photographs and scientific explanations. The end result is a collection of posters that will be displayed at the November GCE, explaining a variety of concepts from Science, Theory of Knowledge, Engineering, and Math.
