Eco Camp 2024 at Dulwich Puxi: The Wonders of Water
At Dulwich Puxi, our dedication goes beyond education; we strive to cultivate global citizens with a sustainable mindset. Follow Ms. Pabito as she takes us through a reflection of our this year's Eco Camp, an example of our commitment in action.
Quoted by Ellah Pabito
Global Citizenship Lead，
From 24 May to 25 May 2024, Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi hosted its annual Eco Camp, this year with the captivating theme of "Wonders of Water." The two-day event aimed to immerse students in the vital importance of water as a resource and to foster a deeper understanding of global water challenges aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 14.
The camp kicked off with a thought-provoking whole-school assembly led by Mr. Saunders. Students were engaged with a special water-themed quiz, setting the stage for the wealth of knowledge and experiences to come. Ms. Pabito then took the stage to delve deeper into the "Wonders of Water" theme, emphasising its significance for sustaining all forms of life.
The assembly's highlight was a presentation by Mr. d'Arcy Lunn, the Head of Sustainability and Global Citizenship at Education in Motion (EiM). Mr. Lunn's inspiring talk highlighted the importance of water conservation and shared simple, actionable steps students could take to become better stewards of the planet. His message resonated deeply, laying the foundation for the camp's immersive activities.
As the visiting students from Dulwich College Pudong and Dulwich College Suzhou arrived, the Eco Camp officially began. The participants gathered for another assembly, this time featuring a special guest speaker from Green Wave China, a leading water filtration company. Ms. Lisze Siaw presentation educated the students on the dangers of unclean water and the vital processes of water purification. Her engaging talk equipped the students with crucial knowledge to tackle water-related challenges.
The assembly concluded with an impactful Eco Camp pledge, where student representatives from each participating college led their peers in a unified commitment to protecting the planet's water resources.
Over the course of the two-day event, students delved into a diverse array of hands-on activities and educational experiences. They explored the scientific aspects of water quality and filtration, gaining practical skills in water testing and analysis. Through these activities, students developed a deeper appreciation for the complexities of water accessibility and the need for sustainable water management.
Intercollege Collaboration
After the kickoff assembly we gathered all the colleges together to take an Eco Camp photo with all the teachers and students that were involved on the amazing event.
Throughout the day the students participated in three water-inspired activities.
01 Activity One:
Water Filtration
The purpose of this activity was to replicate the natural water filtration process that occurs in the water cycle. Students collected river water and natural materials like sticks and stones, then used them to filter the water through various materials. The goal was for students to understand how the infiltration and percolation processes can be used to clean water and provide a safe, reliable water supply.
The key learning outcomes were for students to understand the natural water filtration processes and explore ways to replicate them in a simple, hands-on experiment. While the filtered water was not safe to drink, it could be used for other purposes like gardening.
02 Activity Two:
Gender Inequality in Water Collection
This activity focused on the unequal gender division of labour for water collection in some communities around the world. The activity was designed as a problem-solving game using tangram puzzles.
The key learning outcomes were for students to develop a better understanding of the disproportionate burden placed on women and girls for water collection, and the impact this has on their lives and opportunities.
03 Activity Three:
Ocean Clean-up
The purpose of this activity was to engage students in a hands-on experience of cleaning up ocean debris and learning about the impact of pollution on marine life.
The key learning outcomes were for students to develop creative problem-solving skills, understand the impact of ocean pollution, and explore practical methods for cleaning up and protecting marine ecosystems.
Overall, the eco-camp activities provided a well-rounded educational experience, covering topics related to water, the environment, and social justice issues. The hands-on, collaborative nature of the activities allowed students to engage actively with the content and develop a deeper understanding of these important environmental and social issues.
Afterwards, the students got to reflect on the activities of the day. Here were their comments:
"My favorite activity was the 'work for water' challenge because it was so much fun.”
—— Year 3 Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong Student
"I really enjoyed the 'water filter challenge', "It was cool that we got to cross the bridge and collect water for our experiment. Seeing how the water changed colour was really interesting."
—— Year 3 Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong Student
"The cleaning the ocean challenge was my favourite, It was satisfying to work together to clear out all the 'pollution' from the ocean."
—— Year 3 Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Student
Unfolding Experiences at Dulwich Puxi
Our Year 3 Dulwich College Puxi students continued their engaging Eco Camp activities on Friday afternoon. They got to do another science experiment and art activity, both related to the theme of water.
The science experiment posed the question: "Can water move?" The students conducted the "walking water" experiment, using cups, tap water, tissue paper, and food coloring. They planned out the experiment, made predictions, and then left the setup overnight to observe the results the next day.
"I was amazed to see how the water moved from one cup to the other through the tissue!". "The colours mixed together in a really cool way."
—— Jason, Year 3
After the creative and scientific explorations, the students had an exciting time setting up their own tents for the overnight camp. Mr. Saunders demonstrated the proper tent-building techniques, and the students worked collaboratively with their partners to construct their cozy shelters.
The following morning, the students participated in a series of "Save the Water" challenges, designed to help them understand the value of water and the importance of conservation.
Challenge 1 involved using cups to transfer water from a full bucket to an empty one, navigating through various obstacles along the way. The spider webs and log-walking made it really hard to keep the water in the cup, but Kestrel Class emerged victorious, with the most water successfully transferred.
In Challenge 2, the students worked in teams to create their own water systems, aiming to minimize leaks and allow water to flow freely from one bucket to another. The students had to communicate and figure out the best way to build an efficient water system. Harriers Class did an amazing job and won the challenge.
The final challenge, "Pass the Water," required the students to form a line and pass a cup of water from the front to the back, trying to fill the empty bucket at the end. It was a real test of teamwork and coordination. Marlins Class did an incredible job, managing to fill the bucket the fastest.
Throughout the activities, the students reflected on the challenges of accessing and conserving water, and the importance of working together to address these issues.
"I understood how hard it can be for some people to get clean water. The obstacles in the first challenge made me appreciate how much effort it takes." —— Grace, Year 3
"Eco Camp has been an amazing experience. I've learned so much about water and the environment, and I'm excited to share what I've learned with my family and friends."
—— Year 3, Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Student
Equally important, the camp aimed to broaden students' perspectives by drawing connections between local water issues and global water crises. The students from all campuses engaged in thought-provoking discussions and activities that highlighted the disparities in water availability and sanitation around the world, fostering empathy and inspiring them to become agents of change.
Eco Camp 2024 was a resounding success, as students left with a renewed sense of environmental stewardship and a commitment to conserving the precious resource that is water. The event's blend of education, hands-on experiences, and global perspectives equipped the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and passion to tackle the world's water-related challenges.
