“科学家不能随便拍脑门”

“失败不可怕，可怕的是不敢提问”

一场跨越十年的重逢

“No fire How can you light a candle”

Recently, a fascinating chemistry talk took place in the Castle Hall at Merchiston International School Shenzhen. On stage was Dr David G. Evans, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a specially appointed professor at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and a science influencer followed by over a million people. He delivered an inspiring session titled "Igniting Minds Through Catalysts."

In the audience MIS chemistry teacher Crystal sat with her students listening attentively What unfolded was not only a dazzling feast of scientific spectacle but also a heartwarming reunion more than a decade in the making.

As the official overseas branch of Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh MIS Shenzhen inherits nearly 200 years of British educational tradition Dr Evans visit as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry also highlighted the school’s deep academic network From the UK mother school to the Shenzhen campus from world class scholars to real classroom learning outstanding educational resources converge here and continue to be passed on.

During the color changing shake experiment he turned into a scientific detective.

“How does a catalyst work” “Could it be speeding up the reaction” “Why do you think so What evidence do you have”.

When a student suggested it might be related to air he immediately guided the class to design an experiment and test the hypothesis on the spot.

From observation to questioning from hypothesis to experimentation to conclusion a complete scientific way of thinking was planted into the students minds through relaxed and engaging interaction.

A student asked what to do if an experiment fails Dr Evans smiled.

“If it explodes students might find it even more interesting”.

He explained that failure is an opportunity to analyse what went wrong and improve next time If you are afraid of failure you will never make progress.

He also shared his own research experience Every scientist has had their hypotheses overturned Paper rejections are normal The key is persistence.

After the lecture a student asked what he hoped they would learn.

“A small number of students may walk away thinking chemistry is truly fascinating and maybe want to become scientists But for most students I hope you take away scientific thinking the ability to think critically and analyse problems”.

“Today there is too much misinformation You cannot blindly believe everything People may tell you drinking six cups of coffee a day will help you live to ninety nine You should ask Where is the evidence If there is none then I will not believe it”.

The scientific mindset Dr Evans emphasised is already part of daily learning at MIS.

Senior school students have opportunities to conduct research projects at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory working alongside leading scientists Topics range from neuroscience to tumour immunology Over three consecutive summers they arrived early and stayed late operating equipment normally only used at university level This laboratory has produced students who later received offers from Oxford and Cambridge.

As Dr Evans put it “If you fear failure you will never make progress” At MIS students are encouraged to try to make mistakes and to keep asking questions transforming curiosity into direction through real scientific research.

Dr Evans visit also carried a special meaning.

Ten years ago Crystal was still a student at Beijing University of Chemical Technology She worked as Dr Evans research assistant and travelled with him to schools across China delivering chemistry outreach programmes.Ten years later she became a chemistry teacher at MIS Shenzhen and now Dr Evans had returned to give a lecture to her students.

From Beijing to Shenzhen from student to teacher from being inspired to inspiring others Dr Evans once ignited Crystal passion for science and now Crystal is lighting the path of exploration for her own students From fun classroom experiments to authentic laboratory research educational legacy continues quietly yet powerfully.

May every MIS student be illuminated by the spark of science and one day become a light that shines for others.

On the journey of exploring the world may you always stay young and always remain curious.