This semester, our Grade 4 and Grade 5 students took their Unit 1 Inquiry learning out of the classroom and out into the community, connecting their classroom knowledge to authentic experiences across Shanghai and beyond. At SUIS Qingpu, we believe inquiry is at its best when students can see, touch, and explore the concepts they’ve been studying—where global issues are met with local solutions, and where understanding becomes lived experience.
Our Grade 4 students, who spent the unit learning about the global journey of “Fair-trade chocolate”, ventured to the Zotter Chocolate Factory. Meanwhile, our Grade 5 students, who explored the theme of “World of Water”, examined the topic through a local Shanghai lens.
Let’s take a closer look at what these field trips had in store for our young inquirers!
Grade 4: Zotter Chocolate Factory
On 14 November, our Grade 4 students embarked on an exciting field trip to the Zotter Chocolate Factory in Shanghai. This visit was a culmination of their studies on the Bean-to-Bar chocolate manufacturing process and the critical importance of ensuring fairness in chocolate production.
Grade 5：Exploring Water Waste Solutions in Shanghai
Last week, our Grade 5 students took their “World of Water” inquiry unit beyond the classroom and into our local community! To connect their global study of water to local examples, students visited one of three important sites in our Shanghai community — the Shanghai Xujing Sewage Treatment Company, the Qingpu Second Sewage Treatment Plant, and the Green Water Company.
At each location, students learned firsthand how Shanghai manages wastewater — from collection and cleaning to releasing treated water safely back into the environment. Through guided tours, group discussions, and Q&A sessions with experts, students learned how science, engineering, and teamwork all contribute to keeping our city’s water clean.
Our young inquirers were amazed to see the technology and care involved in turning dirty water back into clean water. Many students made meaningful connections between what they’ve learned about water on a global scale and how those same challenges are being addressed right here in our local community.
After a morning filled with learning and discovery, the Grade 5 students enjoyed a well-earned outdoor lunch at Panlong Tiandi, sharing reflections and new questions inspired by their visits.
This trip was a powerful reminder that caring for water begins close to home — and that each of us has a part to play in protecting this vital resource.
