Project

Real-world projects creating positive impacts for self, others, communities, and the planet.

Annually, numerous interdisciplinary projects emerge with the mission of contributing to a better world.These projects span multiple disciplines and areas such as biosciences, urban planning, innovative media, physics, and mathematics. Within them, we are engineers, designers, architects, scientists, thinkers, and visionaries for the future. We expect these projects could inspire learners in creating impactful work, prompting them to consider their place in the broader context of the world and the progression of human civilization.

Creative & ExpressionChinese Studies

A Collection of Micro Novels "One Corner, One Observation, One Writing"

Disciplines/Subjects: Chinese Language Arts Key Themes: Fiction, Creative writing, Exaggeration, Alienation, Metaphor From a corner of the world, observing people and society. Art originates from life, higher than life. "Novelists from ancient and modern times, both domestic and foreign, reflect social reality through their writing, describe it with warmth, criticize it sharply, or depict human nature through unique artistic techniques. They transport readers to a whole new world and showcase different life experiences. This power is not based on argumentation or facts, but on the illusion that life is happening on paper, which is the life of their characters. Through the intensive reading of each unit's representative novel and relevant supplementary materials, learners can understand the expression techniques and techniques of various novels, choose one of the following three topics, imitate and learn from its artistic techniques, understand the basic methods of novel creation, create a mini-novel, and present their attitudes and reflections on certain social phenomena, trends of thought or popular culture. A. What phenomena in real society do you want to criticize? Please shape a typical character based on this, using exaggeration, contrast, and satire techniques, designing necessary plot conflicts, showcasing their core characteristics, and writing their story and your stance B. The alienation of human beings "reflects the alienation of the body and the misalignment of thoughts, as well as the dilemma of human survival. Based on your observation, in real life, which person/individuals have you seen facing survival difficulties? Please write a story about 'human alienation transformation' through passive explicit transformation, showcasing their struggles and difficulties, as well as the inner world of the characters. C. The metaphorical technique helps us better understand the connections or behaviors between specific things. By observing and experiencing life (historical events, small things that reflect truth in life, social hotspots), you can choose a theme and use metaphorical techniques to create a group story through the setting of images, scenes, plots, and details. This will reveal the essence of something or the truth of life, or subtly express your views and positions on a sensitive event.
Creative & ExpressionChinese Studies

Universe of Contemporary Chinese Literature - Podcast Channel

Disciplines/Subjects: Chinese Language Arts Key Themes: Contemporary Literature, Textual Analysis, Close Reading This project aims to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to develop a revolutionary conversational training system tailored for children with autism. We are building an AI product powered by advanced language models designed to enhance the social skills of children with autism. Traditional social skills interventions often depend on professionals, leading to high costs and limited scalability. Our AI system utilizes innovative natural language processing technologies to provide accessible, personalized socialization training. Through simulated conversations and emotional interactions in a virtual environment, children with autism can practice and develop essential social skills. At the heart of this product is a data-driven dynamic learning engine that continuously self-optimizes based on user progress, offering step-by-step support. By engaging in multi-turn dialogues, the AI system adapts to individual needs, creating a non-threatening, friendly interaction environment where users can practice skills for real-world social scenarios. With intelligent guidance and feedback mechanisms, this AI solution offers a sustainable, scalable approach to supporting children with autism in better integrating into society and improving their quality of life. Beyond being a technical tool, this product represents a transformative effort to leverage AI for social good. We believe that through innovative, scalable AI applications, we can address critical gaps in special education worldwide, becoming a bridge that connects technology with human care.
Creative & ExpressionChinese Studies

Let's write the "A Good Fall" manual together

Disciplines/Subjects: Chinese Language Arts, Sociology Key Themes: Immigration literature, new immigrants, mentality Homesickness is a small stamp. I'm over here, Mother is over there. Since 1978, batches of intellectual elites have chosen to cross the ocean to study in the US. Compared to the earliest group of Chinese labor immigrants who came to the US for "gold mining", the name "new immigrants" has emerged due to the huge changes in their knowledge background and immigration purposes. As intellectuals who are "new immigrants", some of them choose to return to China for development after achieving success in the US, while others choose to continue to realize their "US dream" and become residents. Over time, the social structure of Chinese immigrants in the US has gradually become richer and more complete. With the increasing diversity of Chinese immigrant society, "New Immigrant Literature" has gradually prospered. Nowadays, a group of new immigrant writers not only express their frustrations and feelings directly through narrative descriptions of life but also learn to dig out the insights of different groups and cultures on life and the examination of human nature from the complex details of life. Learners will determine the theme they want to explore about the living conditions faced by new immigrants based on personal experiences/interviews with Chinese people who have lived overseas, search for relevant information, and write a paper combining their understanding and analysis of new immigrant literary works (novels) related to the theme to explore the inner strength that can support the mentality of new immigrants. All the papers written by the learners will be compiled into a handbook that explores the living conditions and mindset themes of new immigrants. This not only examines the learners' understanding and interpretation, analysis and evaluation, focus and organization, and language abilities but also provides a better guide for learners who are about to study abroad to "take root".
Creative & ExpressionChinese Studies

The Chinese Classics Editorial Department has published a new book!——Study of Tang and Song Dynasty Poetry

Disciplines/Subjects: Literature Key Themes: Classical Chinese Poetry, Tang and Song Dynasty Literature "How can one speak without learning poetry?" Poetry, amidst nature and daily life, becomes the most authentic expression of human emotions. The Tang and Song dynasties represent the zenith of ancient Chinese poetry and lyrical composition, giving rise to countless distinguished poets, lyricists, and outstanding works. Poetry and lyrics, with their beautiful language and profound emotions, hold an undeniable value for our aesthetic tastes, emotional expression, and creative abilities. However, in this era of "fast entertainment," how many people would delve into the beauty of poetry and lyrics beyond what is required by schools for recitation and dictation? Do we truly understand the aesthetic and cultural connotations carried by poetry and lyrics? What can we do to deepen our appreciation of the beauty of poetry and lyrics, and also introduce the charm of Tang and Song poetry to more people? In this "The Chinese Classics Editorial Department has published a new book!" PA task, we will transform into editors of Chinese classics, planning, publishing, and printing a book for the study of Tang and Song poetry and lyrics according to the needs of our audience, and placing it in the library so that more members of the Moonshot Community can experience the beauty of poetry and the cultural connotations it contains. At the same time, each of us is also an author of this book. We choose a poet or lyricist from the Tang or Song dynasty that interests us, and based on "Know Others and Discuss Their World", we delve into their poetic works based on our understanding and insights, producing a text analysis article. In this text analysis article, everyone will interpret the themes and central ideas, structure, development, word choice, and the author's viewpoints and purposes of poetic works.
SustainabilityScience

Phenological Investigations: Understanding Plant Responses to Environmental Changes

Disciplines/Subjects: Phenology, Botany, Ecology Key Themes: Phenology, Plant Physiology, Data Collection and Analysis, Environmental Changes Students will take on the role of phenologists, scientists who study the timing of biological events about environmental conditions. This project will involve observing and documenting the phenological stages of various plant species on the school campus, and analyzing how environmental factors influence these stages. This real-world task allows students to engage in authentic scientific inquiry and produce meaningful outputs that could be used for ecological studies or shared with the local community.
OthersScience

Finding the Right Location with GIS

Discipline/ Subject:GIS, Design Key Themes: GIS Campus Map, Sign Design This was initially a "boarding project" course, where the teacher designed the research questions, project outcomes, and all the acceptance criteria in advance. However, the teacher, Mora, found this approach uninteresting. So, after analyzing examples of how GIS can impact everyday life, she would always ask the learners, "Do you have any issues you want to vent about, or projects you'd like to tackle, or problems you think can be solved using geographical thinking? Let's work on them together. If not, you can work on the project I've prepared. Your choice." In the fall semester of the 2024-2025 school year, a group of 9th-grade freshmen who wanted to create their projects found an area of interest: modifying the school's map and wayfinding system (landmarks and signage). As freshmen, they often found themselves lost on campus, unable to navigate properly. After some complaints in class, they decided to tackle the school's map and wayfinding system. Mora suggested they consult other members of the community to determine if this was indeed a real issue. They interviewed students, teachers, school administrators, and parents, and distributed surveys to all students, teachers, and parents. "Have you ever had difficulty finding a classroom on campus?" In the 175 valid surveys, 90% answered "Yes." "What do you think is the biggest problem with the school's map, landmarks, and signage system?" Missing or incorrect information on the map; the inner circle signage system provides no information. Based on the survey and interview results, they corrected errors in the school's map, added a more user-friendly "current location" feature, and focused on improving the inner circle wayfinding system. They thought this would solve the problem, but as the project progressed, an obstacle appeared: the school's classroom numbering was chaotic and irregular. To quickly locate classrooms, the room numbers needed to be rearranged. Without this, adding more maps and signage would still result in people getting lost. Reordering the room numbers for the entire school was far beyond their capability.
Modeling and Data ScienceScience

The Roar of the Mortar: An Invincible Siege Weapon

Disciplines/Subjects: Physics, Engineering, Computer Science Key Themes: Experiment Design, Scientific Calculation and Derivation, Engineering Manufacturing and Processing What is the experience of designing and making a "weapon"? Let's feel together with the students from Introduction to Physics, experience the hardships of the process and the beauty of the results, the agony of failure and the joy of success. Welcome to our Physics Project Exhibition. In this project, students have designed and simulated an important historical task from a war scenario—accurately hitting an enemy command center with simulated artillery shells. In this challenge, students not only apply fundamental principles of physics but also require innovative thinking, practical experimental design, and the application of their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The core task of the project is to use an existing tennis ball launcher or various "weapons" designed and built by students to simulate the firing of artillery shells. By adjusting parameters such as launch angle and initial velocity, students aim to hit distant targets with precision. The challenge was completed in three different ways: Experimental Method: Students designed and implemented multiple experiments to explore how launch angle and initial speed affect the trajectory of the balls. Through data analysis, they determined the optimal launch parameters. Theoretical Method: Using the physics of projectile motion, students performed precise mathematical calculations to predict the landing point of the artillery shells, determining the exact launch angle and velocity needed to hit the target. Engineering Design Method: Some students took on the challenge of designing and building their launchers. Through experimental testing, they continually refined their devices, striving to improve shooting accuracy through precise engineering. This project not only involves fundamental physics knowledge but also cultivates students' creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through this exhibition, you will see how students have turned theoretical knowledge into practical solutions, demonstrating their learning journey from theory to application.
Technology and InnovationScience

Treasure Hunting-A Grave with No Shadow

Discipline/ Subject:Earth Science  Key Themes: The Earth revolution around sun In a Guangzhou graveyard, a secret tale is untold. Once a year, at a moment's hold, Shadow vanishes at a precious cue, For a fleeting few minutes, a chance so true. Where a treasure's rumored, beneath a tomb's clay, But this fleeting moment, a blink of fate, Is the only time to unlock its gate. People gather, filled with eager delight, But among so many graves they stand, Lost and confused in a sea of stones. To seek the riches, you must advance, At the right day, the right minute, don't be late, For the shadows disappear, and you must navigate. With shovels and maps, and hearts so bold, Assemble your team to seek the hidden gold, In those fleeting minutes, do your best. Find the treasure hidden if you dare. You need to: Find out where the treasure is. Please provide its rough coordinate (GPS 坐标,精确到分即可) and point it out in a map. Explain why you think it's there with a clear model and solid evidence using model and CER template enclosed in this page. Explanation = Claim (What you know) + Evidence (How you know it) + Reasoning (Your thought process) Create a STEM experimental exploration report with maps to show your findings.