Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    THE “do it yourself” concept is common in many Western cultures and Shenzhen is making efforts to promote that concept among Shenzhen students by cultivating students’ practical skills.

    As part of the upcoming Maker Faire in Shenzhen, the education bureau is going to carry out a four-day Student Maker Festival from June 18 to 21.

    The Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau plans to hold activities on and off campus to enhance students’ hands-on abilities in order to cultivate more school-age makers.

    “This maker festival is for the purpose of raising students’ awareness of creating things by themselves and at the same time offering a platform to display some items made by students,” said Fan Kun, deputy head of the education bureau.

    The festival will start with an opening ceremony June 18 with various activities. In one activity, students will be introduced to adult makers who will share their experiences.

    Fan said Wednesday that delegations from about 20 sister schools in Hong Kong will participate in the festival.

    Students will have a chance to display and explain some of their projects during a show on the first day. Adult makers and judges will give feedback and suggestions.

    Students will also get a chance to see robots, drones, 3-D printings and intelligent architecture.

    There will be subvenues in districts around the city. Subvenues in Luohu, Futian, Longgang, Longhua, Bao’an and Nanshan will display students’ work.

    “Though it’s a four-day festival, we hope it will have a long-term impact on students and inspire them to create. And we hope that the event will improve our teaching methods,” said Fan.