On November 27, 2024, the grand finale of the Shanghai High School International Division's Science Fair — the Closing Ceremony for Talented Students — unfolded splendidly in the Big Auditorium. Adhering to the theme of "Pursue · Excel", this ceremony not only honored students who have achieved outstanding results in various fields, but also encouraged all students to continue pursuing their dreams, and achieve personal growth.

Professor Chen Xiaoya, Academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Zhang Peng, Researcher from the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Ms. Zhang Zehong, Party Secretary of Shanghai High School, Mr. Ma Feng, High School Principal of SHSID, Ms. Zhang Li, and Ms. Liu Min, High School Vice Principals of SHSID, as well as numerous teachers and students, gathered together to attend the closing ceremony.

The ceremony began with Principal Ma extending heartfelt gratitude to the special guests for their attendance and congratulating the award-winning students on their achievements. In his address, Principal Ma posed two thought-provoking questions to the audience: Are we simply following in the footsteps of those before us, or are we striving for self-transcendence? Should we aim to surpass others, or more importantly, surpass ourselves? He urged students to stay humble, continue to work hard, and contribute to human welfare, hoping that they would all have the courage to pursue their inner ideas, the determination to surpass themselves, the bravery to take action, and the ability to always maintain curiosity.

Academician Chen Xiaoya of the Chinese Academy of Sciences delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking speech during the event. He highlighted the scientific curiosity of the students, describing it as an uplifting and invaluable quality at their age. Professor Chen expressed his admiration for SHSID students, commending their diverse interests and exceptional abilities. He also praised the school’s exceptional educational resources and its commitment to creating opportunities that foster student development. In conclusion, he expressed confidence that the students would achieve remarkable success in their future careers, fueled by a strong sense of national pride and the resilient spirit of SHSID.

Following that, the award ceremony brought the event to its climax. As each honor was revealed, talented individuals and teams from various fields such as Natural Science, Mathematics, Humanities and Social Studies, Sports, Visual Arts and Performing Arts stepped up to the podium to receive their well-deserved recognition and praise. The applause in the auditorium thundered like a tribute to these students. Five students who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields took the stage to share their heartfelt experiences of winning awards and the journey of their unremitting efforts.

Aaron from G11 explored the evolving nature of career aspirations and the importance of lifelong learning, echoing the saying "learn as long as you live". He shared two transformative experiences that shaped his identity, from a young gamer wanting to be a streamer to an advocate for environmental sustainability. Aaron's trip to Yunnan sparked an appreciation for nature, leading him to enroll in an economics and sustainable development course that bridged his interests. His second story, from a Model UN conference in Guangzhou on renewable energy, highlighted the complexity of issues and the need for diverse perspectives. He advocates for a well-rounded skillset over being pigeonholed as a "STEM" or "humanities" student, encouraging individuals to be interdisciplinary and unique, and the freedom to shape one's own path.

Elaine from Grade 10 shared her passion for ballet, highlighting the challenges and beauty along the way. She used the proverb "No pain, no gain." to emphasize the hard work behind success and likened the pain and beauty of ballet to the growth of a dancer. Elaine's story underscored the importance of perseverance, resilience, and individuality. She encouraged her peers to find their own paths and grow through challenges, drawing parallels between her ballet journey and personal development.

Vincent from G12 shared his inspiring journey in debate, highlighting the importance of perseverance. He recalled how he went from being an audience member to leading his team to victory in the inaugural International Chinese Debate Competition, defeating 126 teams. Despite facing numerous challenges, Vincent emphasized the power of persistence. He and his team crafted over 70,000 words for debates and worked late into the night, always striving for new perspectives. Vincent concluded with a motivational message: "The butterfly shall, in the end, traverse the vast sea." encouraging everyone to keep pursuing their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

Frank, a G11 student and a baseball player, shared his insights on how the sport, known for its frequent failures, mirrors life's challenges. Despite personal setbacks and an injury, Frank's dedication to baseball grew stronger with the support of his parents. He emphasized the importance of using failures as stepping stones to improvement and the value of passion and persistence in achieving success. Frank also underscored the significance of teamwork, drawing attention to baseball's potential in China and his initiative to start a club to foster the sport. With gratitude for the opportunities in baseball, he inspired his peers to discover their passions and pursue their goals with the school year's wishes for triumph.

Jasper from G12 humorously began his speech by imagining waking up as a 7-year-old late for school, reflecting on a childhood filled with high expectations and activities he didn't enjoy. He eventually found his path to success by focusing on forming connections, developing passion, and concentrating on a few key areas of interest. He advocated for setting goals and being extroverted to seize opportunities. He also advised the audience to pursue passions, embrace challenges, and stand out, reminding the audience that the journey is personal and the future is limitless. Lastly, with the words "keep pursuing, keep excelling — discover your passions, embrace the challenges, and never hesitate to stand out." as a conclusion, Jasper encourage all students to continuously strive for excellence.

As the award-winning students shared their speeches, the Talented Students Award Ceremony drew to a successful close. This gathering not only encapsulated the essence of the 2024 SHSID Science Fair, but also commemorated the students' triumphs in the realms of technology and scholarship. Their achievements shine a light on the dedication and brilliance of our students, underscoring SHSID's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and hands-on learning.

In the 2024 High School Science Fair, students and teachers experienced a nearly month-long science and technology feast, which was full of sparks of knowledge and innovation. Let's take a look back at some of the memorable Science Fair highlights.

"For Girls in Science" at CIIE

Live Broadcast from Antarctic Research Station

What is Computational Linguistics?

SHSID Science and Engineering Fair

STEM Club Showcase

Visiting the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Innovative Engineering Machinery Exhibition

SHSID Alumni Forum

Building "Polar-Shelter Paper Houses"

This year's Science Fair has come to an end, but a variety of science and technology activities are still ongoing at SHSID, and the spirit and influence of "Pursue · Excel" will continue to inspire every student. SHSID will continue to provide a platform full of challenges and opportunities to encourage students to continue to move forward on the path of scientific exploration. We hope that in the future, more students will be able to carry forward the spirit of "Pursue · Excel", not only to achieve more academic achievements, but also to transcend themselves and realize their dreams in life. Let's look forward to more innovations and surprises from next Science Fair, and also look forward to more SHSIDers shining on the future stage of science and technology.

Written by 9（9）Lola, 9（8）Elaine, 9（4）Irune, 9（6）Xiaoxiao, Ms. Yu Lijia, Ms. Wang Jingjing, Mr. He Tianzhou

Photos by SHSID Media Group, Mr. Liao Hui

Reviewed by Ms. Liu Qin, Ms. Gu Ying, Ms. Shen Chenli, Mr. Liao Hui

Edited by Ms. Wang Tongyan

Proofread by Mr. Cody Allen Turner