01 Dec 2017
Outstanding Cambridge learner Wendi Ji, a student at Shenzhen College of International Education, gave an inspiring speech at a recent Cambridge awards ceremony, highlighting the importance of practical science in her Cambridge International A Level studies: 'Many people asked me what is my favourite class,’ she said in her speech: 'I tell them 'the lab-based class', because that is when I feel like a scientist.'
Wendi spoke at the 2017 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards ceremony, held in Shenzhen in October, where she received the top prize for Cambridge International AS Level Chemistry in China. In her speech Wendi spoke about the benefits of studying with Cambridge, and about the ethos of being a ‘Cambridge learner’. As a science student, Wendi particularly welcomed the opportunity to take part in science practicals: 'This is where we get close to the hypotheses that we are actually testing, and at AS level it’s even better as we get to design the experiments ourselves,' she said. It was also in the laboratory that students ‘start to think like scientists’, she explained, adding: 'Lab-based classes are invaluable in helping us develop a scientific mind-set, and by evaluating the methodologies of an experiment we start to think critically – we turn from passive receivers of knowledge to active thinkers.'
Wendi was one of 120 Chinese students, from 51 Cambridge schools, receiving awards at three ceremonies in October, held in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. The students received 17 ‘High Achievement’ awards, 52 'Top in China’ awards, 48 ‘Top in the World' awards and three 'Best Across' awards.