Lin Zishi (First from Right) instructs students to manipulate robots

Gao Yechen from Pingtan No.1 Middle School secured second place in the AI Super Track Robot at the World Robot Contest Championships held in Beijing in August. Pingtan is an island off E China's Fujian province and the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan.

The World Robot Contest is known as the "Olympics" of the robotics industry.

Programming, coding algorithms, assembling and disassembling machines...students return to their daily grind right after a major contest.

"God rewards the diligent. Our students train hard every day to get to where they are today," said Lin Zishi, mentor of the robot workshop at Pingtan No.1 Middle School. Lin recalled the first year they had just started. They had to give up the opportunity to compete in the Asian Championship representing China after securing second at a competition in Guangzhou due to consideration of experience and readiness.

After that, the members grew more determined to hone their skills. They seized all possible opportunities and joined in competitions nationwide. Gradually, the made a name in the circle.

The trophy room next to the workshop displays the trophies and award-winding prototypes from 2017 to 2022, bearing testimony to the efforts they have made along the way.

Xue Laisu (Second from Left) pictured guiding students

The course has influenced students' choice of career. "Thanks to this workshop, I have found my passion. I would probably pursue a similar field or something along the line at university," said Pan Weicheng, champion of the 19th Fujian Provincial Youth Robot Contest.

Nian Haokun, a student who graduated from Pingtan No. 1 Middle School, works at an airport. In 2011, Nian joined the workshop and excelled in provincial, national and international competitions. He got admitted to the Civil Aviation University of China.

Nian revealed that not only had the course cultivated his interest in programming and physics but also led him to his dream university and career.

The school also created the “211” learning model to better select and cultivate talents, that is, two school-based courses per week available for all students, one extracurricular activity for interested students, at least one special training in a year for students participating in the competitions.

“In the ‘211’ mode, the students received systematic training and laid a solid foundation for development,” Xue Laisu, another tutor said.

So far, students have participated in more than 300 competitions at various levels and won 3 first prizes in the world championships. 

Spotted a mistake or want to add something? All rights reserved. Do not reproduce our content without permission–you can contact us directly on our Twitter mailbox. Follow @pingtanchina (Twitter)