From Classroom to Laboratory
YK Pao High School formed a strategic partnership with Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden in 2021, opening a direct route for students to engage with the natural sciences, and creating a unique connection between in-classroom study and real‑world research. As the city's principal centre for scientific research and public science education, Chenshan worked together with Pao School to create and jointly run an Aspiring Scientist Training Programme aimed at high‑school students.
According to Zang Na, High School Deputy Principal, the project draws on the botanical garden’s plant resources, as found in its medicinal plant garden and mine pit garden, and on research facilities that include a tropical plant experience hall and 4D science theatre. The programme covers plant taxonomy, ecological survey methods, and the analysis of medicinal value, among other topics. Researchers at Chenshan supervise students' experiments and assist them in preparing scientific papers.
Uncovering the Mystery in the Indian Lotus with Red Anther
Jimmy Zhang, a Year 12 student, completed a comparative phytochemistry study at Chenshan Botanical Garden on a newly discovered Indian Lotus with Red Anther. He compared the new variety with traditional lotus varieties and the saffron crocus, to assess its nutritional and pharmacological potential.
Using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography, he analysed total phenolic content, flavonoid levels and antioxidant activity across the samples. Jimmy found that the antioxidant activity of the red flower medicinal lotus was 33.7% higher than that of traditional varieties, indicating its potential as a nutritional supplement or functional plant resource. His instructor emphasised that “scientific research is not about confirming expectations but about respecting the data itself,” a lesson that helped him understand the rigour required for independent reasearch.
From Ferns to Natural Selection
Year 10 students Joyce Zhang and Penny Sun collaborated on a research project investigating the correlation between the evolutionary sequence of various fern species and the feeding preferences of fern-specialized pests. Penny was particularly struck by other organisms' survival strategies when, in trials that arranged plants in twelve different positions, larvae of the moth Callopistria repleta consistently found the most palatable fern, Hypolepis punctata.
At Chenshan Botanical Garden the joint research took Joyce and Penny beyond the classroom. By conducting independent exploration across the garden’s laboratories, Fern Island, and greenhouses, Joyce developed skills in rigorous time management, the process of designing experiments, and the learned to construct every step with purpose. Meanwhile, Penny improved her skills in reading and writing academic literature, moving from unfamiliarity with databases such as CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) to proficiency and building a solid theoretical foundation for their experiments.
From the Mist of Liquid Nitrogen to the Path of Discovery
This summer, Year 10 student Hebe Ji undertook a molecular biology project that blended theory and practice as she used Agrobacterium mediated transformation of tobacco to produce astaxanthin. One particularly impressive moment came during the cryogenic grinding process, when she noticed liquid nitrogen boiling at minus 196°C. White mist swirled around, and the hairy roots turned brittle, before being ground into fine powder, offering a powerful illustration of theory transforming into practice.
Reflecting on her first step into scientific research, Hebe summarised her experience in three words: immersion, perseverance and joy. For her, ‘immersion’ meant complete focus and dedication, ‘perseverance’ the resolve to push through difficulties, and ‘joy’ the inner happiness that comes from exploration.
Pao School continues to expand its STEAM education, actively exploring new ways to collaborate with industry and research institutions. Its partnership with Chenshan Botanical Garden goes well beyond intensive research projects and takes many different forms. Joint ecology courses enable students to understand the natural world from a variety of perspectives and plans for more collaboration this year will bring cutting-edge research and accessible popular science onto campus, further enriching the learning experience.
