Planting the seeds of biodiversity education

As part of its ongoing efforts to foster environmental awareness among young learners, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation hosted a biodiversity education class at the China National Botanical Garden on Monday.

The event drew more than 60 primary school students from across Beijing, offering them a hands-on opportunity to explore the fascinating world of plants.

The educational session featured lively, accessible science lectures delivered by botanical experts, including Wang Kang, director of the garden's science education center, and Zhou Dakang, deputy director of the garden's horticulture center.

Their presentations covered key topics such as biodiversity protection and the co-evolutionary relationship between plants and insects. Through interactive Q&A segments and relatable explanations, the speakers successfully sparked the students' curiosity about plant life.

Following the lectures, students participated in a series of practical, game-based learning activities.

Divided into groups, they completed tasks including locating rare plants in designated areas and observing their growth environments and characteristics, visiting the carnivorous plant exhibition zone to study how insect-eating plants capture their prey, and documenting the unique features of these living fossil plants.

Designed around the theme of biodiversity protection, the event made full use of the botanical garden's extensive resources to deliver immersive nature-based science education.

Through these experiences, the foundation aims to empower youth to become advocates, practitioners and stewards of biodiversity protection.

This educational class is part of the foundation's "Future Classroom" series. Launched in 2018, the initiative is dedicated to supporting the holistic development of children — morally, intellectually and physically.

Over the years, the program has invited distinguished experts from various fields to engage with young audiences on topics spanning virtues, intelligence, physical fitness, the arts, and practical life skills.

Known for its interactive and enlightening approach, the Future Classroom has become a widely popular and effective extracurricular educational platform.