Overseas Research Opportunities for Students

There are currently three summer overseas study and research trips for senior students at ISF Academy: the Needham Research Institute at Cambridge University, Comparative Philosophies Research at Oxford University, and Smart Cities Program at Columbia University Teachers College. Each of these programs, allows students to study at a world renown facility and interact with acclaimed academic researchers.

Students are expected to complete a substantial research paper, with the possibility of later publication in the ISF research journal, Bauhinia.

Needham Research Institute – Cambridge University

Since 2013, students have studied at the Needham Research Institute (NRI), located at Cambridge University. This facility, named after the famous Sinologist Joseph Needham, is dedicated to the research and documentation of the history of science and civilization in China. Students are given an opportunity to identify and do research on a topic of their choosing in the areas of science and civilization in China.

Comparative Philosophies – Oxford University

The Comparative Philosophies program at Oxford University is affiliated with New College. Students study western and Chinese philosophies under the guidance of a PhD scholar in philosophical thought the historical lens of time, space, and religion. This program is offered to students that have participated in other Shuyuan Classics program during the summer between their Grade 10 and Grade 11 academic years. This program was started in 2019 and continues to challenge our students to understand the historical philosophical underpinnings for society.

Smart Cities – Columbia University Teachers College

The Smart Cities program at Columbia University Teachers College was started in 2020 and allows students to study the many aspects of the urban environment, the need for innovation in cities of the 21^st century, and the comparison between NYC and HK. Students learn hands on the importance of systems thinking, complexity of modern cities, and the importance of a built environment that meets the needs of all citizens.

Educational Research for Faculty

Educational research is fundamental to all outstanding teaching and learning. ISF faculty are motivated to improve aspects of their teaching and to gain a better understanding of their student’s learning at a classroom level and for each individual student. To support this effort, the Shuyuan teaching and learning staff support faculty throughout the school.

Since 2018, the Shuyuan Professional Development and Action-based Research Program allows interested faculty to participate in a number of different programs. There are as many as 50 faculty per academic year conducting action-based research in one of five areas. These programs are open to all faculty in all subject areas across all languages:

• Tinkerers: makerspace implementation into curriculum
• Sustainability Stewards: implementation of SDGs into curriculum
• Learning Technology Integrators: integration of leading-edge technology into curriculum
• Editorial Board: implementation and documentation of student learning across curriculum
• Educational Research Board: supports the publication of the Educational Research Journal, Aquilaria.

Since 2018, ISF Academy has had a strategic Partnership with Columbia University Teachers College. ISF Academy has conducted several educational research projects and presented this work internationally. To easily facility this research, a common Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedure has been implemented. The IRB supports all action-based research across the campus and is bilingually communicated to the ISF community.

Shuyuan Research Showcase

An annual event, The Shuyuan Research Week, is presented to the ISF community and all external partners. Research Week is a showcase of all Shuyuan student work across the campus and includes student science posters, maker projects, Chinese Humanities Research, publications, and Educational Research findings.