Projects-MOONSHOT ACADEMY

Zero-Carbon Building-Building a Sustainable Future

Disciplines/Subjects: Architecture, Environmental Science, Engineering, Physics Key Themes: Zero-Carbon Building, Renewable Energy, Smart Building, Carbon Neutrality, Sustainable Development In the face of the intensifying global climate change, humanity is confronted with unprecedented environmental challenges. Scientific research indicates that the construction industry is one of the major sources of global carbon emissions, accounting for a significant proportion of the total global emissions. To tackle this challenge, countries around the world are taking action to reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector. China, as one of the largest construction markets globally, is actively responding to the national "dual carbon" goals (carbon peak and carbon neutrality), promoting the green transformation of the construction industry, and achieving sustainable development. Against this backdrop, our project is launched. It aims to design and construct a zero-carbon building model through interdisciplinary collaboration, demonstrating how to achieve minimal environmental impact and maximum energy efficiency in architecture. Students will learn the principles of zero-carbon buildings, including energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and resource management, and apply them to real architectural design. The core of the project is to have students work in teams to design and build a building model that incorporates renewable energy systems (e.g., solar panels) and green building technologies (e.g., green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems). Students need to consider the energy needs of the building, material selection, environmental adaptability, and aesthetic design. They will ultimately present their model and explain their design choices and how they align with zero-carbon goals. Through this project, students will not only master the theoretical knowledge of zero-carbon buildings but also develop teamwork, problem-solving, and innovative design skills. This project is not only a practical exploration of architecture but also a profound experience of sustainable development and a contribution to global climate goals.

From Farm to Table

Disciplines/Subjects: Science、Social Study、Language Key Themes: Curiosity、Healthy eating、Plant growth、Regions and cuisine China is an ancient civilization with a profound history of five thousand years. Our traditional culture is vast and profound, and among it, the culinary culture is particularly charming. Chinese cuisine is not merely food; it also carries our history, customs, and wisdom. We have dumplings during the Spring Festival, symbolizing reunion and wealth; zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival, in memory of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan; and mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, representing fulfillment and reunion. These delicacies are not only delicious but also imbued with deep cultural significance. Learners are going to open a "Culinary Street" in the Moon Exploration Community, allowing friends from all over the world to taste traditional Chinese cuisine and experience its unique cultural charm. At the same time, they will also promote the concept of healthy eating, so that everyone can enjoy delicious and healthy food. In this project, learners can: Gain an understanding of the concept of healthy eating and learn about the relationship between the human digestive system and diet. Explore the signature dishes of major Chinese cities, learn about traditional Chinese tea culture, and try making traditional Chinese pastries and dried fruits. Discover the beauty of food, understand the culture of traditional Chinese shops, and create their own unique stores.

Exploring the Chicken-Vegetable Symbiosis System - A Learning Journey from Life to Ecology

Discipline/ Subject: Biology, Ecology, Engineering Key Themes: Life Cycle, Ecological Cycle, Engineering Design, Sustainable Development This project follows the life cycle of chickens as the main thread, integrating ecological cycles and engineering design concepts to create a chicken-vegetable symbiosis system that promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Learners will explore the entire process of chicken incubation, growth, rearing, and its symbiotic relationship with plants while continuously optimizing the system through engineering design and scientific experimentation. The project covers the stages of egg incubation and chick development, the construction and management of the chicken coop, the application of microbiological technology in chicken manure treatment, and the continuous optimization of the ecological symbiosis system. Through hands-on practice, teamwork, and scientific inquiry, learners will enhance their problem-solving abilities and gain a deeper understanding of ecological cycles and sustainable development principles.

Super Clean Life

Disciplines/Subjects: Language、Science、Social Study、Visual Arts Key Themes: Empathy、Clean life、Material change、Marketing and sales In this project, learners will act as an expert team to help "Stinky Princess" solve some of the problems she encounters in her life. "Stinky Princess" hopes to find a magical soap that not only makes her clean and fragrant but is also made from eco-friendly and healthy materials. During this learning journey, learners will be assigned the following roles: Bacteria Investigator: When they put on the white investigator's hat, they need to gather as much knowledge as possible about bacteria through various channels, create a set of bacteria profile cards, and make an "ID card" for the bacteria residents. Healthy Lifestyle Guardian: When they put on the green guardian's hat, they need to explore and experience a lifestyle that coexists harmoniously with bacteria and nature during their outings, and document their inspirations and creative ideas. Magic Experimenter: When they put on the blue experimenter's hat, they will use their knowledge of acids, bases, and changes in states of matter to conduct chemical magic experiments. Fragrant Clean World Inventor: When they put on the yellow inventor's hat, the most critical part of the project arrives, soap making! In this phase, they need to consider factors such as cleanliness, environmental friendliness, scent, safety, and user needs. Soap Company Salesperson: When they put on the red salesperson's hat, it means they need to find suitable customers to promote their product. At this stage, they must use specific sales techniques tailored to different clients to market their product effectively.

Memory Realm-Building My Family's Digital Legacy

Disciplines/Subjects: Computer Science, Ethics, Language Arts, Design Key Themes: Digital Heritage Preservation, AI Ethics, Memory Digitization, Intergenerational Communication In the "Memory Realm" project, fourth-grade learners will explore the application of artificial intelligence in preserving family memories. As digital memory creators, learners will collect and organize the voices, images, and handwritten texts of their relatives and use AI technology to generate digital family personas.Learners will go through a complete process from memory collection, data organization, AI synthesis, and ethical evaluation to final storage and presentation. They will gain an understanding of the potential and challenges of AI technology while discussing ethical and privacy protection concerns. Ultimately, each learner will create a personalized "Digital Legacy Capsule" to store their family memories.

Laughter Project

Disciplines/Subjects: Science、Social Emotional Learning、ELA、CLA、Performing Arts、Visual Arts Key Themes: Empathy 、Happiness 、Performing The Laughter Project allows kids to be like kids. Students explore their natural joy as they investigate what makes them laugh. They learn about the benefits and social implications of laughter. They connect with experts to learn how to make others laugh, then apply their knowledge by creating a "Bag of Tricks" including jokes, a puppet, a funny book to read, and a personal narrative about a funny moment in their life. Students showcase their knowledge and skills at the "Olders Care Center", where they use their bag of tricks to bring joy and laughter to the residents.

The Editorial project of "A Life as Jade"

Life is like jade, which undergoes the processes of cutting, grinding, and polishing. On the journey of life, we seek the value of ourselves and the meaning of life. Moreover, we can draw nourishment for growth from the experiences of others. As a work that records a person's life stories, a biography is a literary genre that introduces a person's life experiences and achievements. It is an in-depth portrayal of the character, examining various aspects such as the person's thoughts, behaviors, personality, and life background, revealing the person's ideology, culture, and the background of the times. It serves as a record and reflection of the historical, cultural, and social changes of humanity. Through the study of biographical literature and writing practice, learners can perceive the different life experiences in various eras, thus cultivating their empathy. The learners in Grade 8 will become members of the editorial department of the book "A Life as Jade" and publish a biographical literary work for the "she, he, and they" around them. They will divide the work within the team, taking on roles such as author, journalist, editor, designer, and illustrator. They will write short biographies for the "ordinary people" around them. In the process of writing, they will trace the life trajectories of these people under the imprint of the times.

"Make things like Grandpa" -- Using waste to make renewable items

Disciplines/Subjects: Art design, Science, language Art Key Themes:Recycle renewable resources and consider the impact of existing consumption attitudes on the planet，Civic Responsibility "Grandpa Must Have a Way" tells the story of Grandpa turning old blankets into various new items, conveying the environmental concept of making the best use of everything and recycling. At a time when resources are tight and the need for environmental protection is urgent, this picture book provides an excellent entry point for inspiring the public, especially teenagers, to pay attention to recycling renewable resources. Participants will have a deep understanding of the concept, types and importance of recycling renewable resources, and know the recycling process of common renewable resources in life, such as paper, plastic, metal, fabric, etc. Stimulate participants' interest in environmental protection and resource recycling, and establish a consumption concept of cherishing resources and reducing waste. Exercise the practical ability of participants to transform old objects, and cultivate innovative thinking and teamwork spirit. Participants are encouraged to actively practice resource recycling and reuse in daily life, and encourage people around them to participate in environmental protection actions.

Projects

Each project is like an adventure journey. As little detectives, we keep asking questions and, with curiosity and courage, try to solve every challenge.