College of Engineering, Shantou University, together with Jingyi Academy, jointly launched the heartwarming service program "Glorious Families" — a National Defense Education and Service Labor Course. From November to December 2024, a total of 8 practical sessions were conducted. Through visits to a military family compound of a PLA unit stationed in Shantou, the course provided services to military families and the community, featuring a series of activities including science popularization, one-on-one academic tutoring, and wall painting for the military family community. Let’s review the wonderful moments of the course together!

From November 17 to December 29, under the leadership of the Science Popularization Group, students delivered diverse popular science content to military families. Activities covered national defense and military knowledge, fruit battery making, fun static electricity experiments, as well as Chaoshan paper-cutting, lacquer fan DIY, and environmental-friendly handcrafting. Students guided children from military families in learning and hands-on practice, enabling children to gain rich knowledge and skills through edutainment, and deepened their understanding of national defense, traditional culture, and daily life knowledge.

During the course, the Academic Tutoring Group carefully identified the academic needs of students in the military family community and developed targeted plans and support measures. Tutors provided one-on-one academic guidance to more than 10 children of military personnel. Acting as tutors, they patiently answered questions and helped overcome learning difficulties, while also monitoring students’ learning progress and psychological changes, adjusting tutoring plans accordingly to provide effective support both academically and emotionally.

Responding to the needs of the military family community, the Wall Painting Group conducted on-site research and designed murals themed "National Defense Development in the New Era" tailored to local conditions.

First, suitable walls were selected, and paints, brushes and other tools were determined based on site conditions. After one week of planning and preparation, painting officially began.

Second, students sketched basic outlines with pencils, carefully comparing with design renderings to achieve a 1:1 restoration.

With joint efforts, members of the group fully demonstrated their painting skills and professional strengths, depicting the spirit of the new-era military personnel and expressing their unique understanding of national defense development and servicemen. Finally, a mural showcasing the achievements of national defense construction in the new era was successfully completed.

The Publicity Group not only carefully documented the work of the science popularization, academic tutoring and wall painting groups, but also carried out research in the military family community. A research project titled "Understanding and Recognition of Children from Military Families toward Their Parents’ Work" was conducted through questionnaires and field investigations, resulting in a final research report. The research helped children better understand their parents’ careers, fostered awareness of national defense education from an early age, and cultivated more reserve talents for national defense development in the new era.

In a conversation with a military spouse, she said: “Although it is tough, it is all worthwhile knowing that my son is guarding the motherland.” This remark deeply impressed me with the selflessness and dedication of military families. Meanwhile, I realized that when promoting national defense knowledge, we should connect more closely with their real lives rather than merely imparting theories.

— Yu Shuai, Grade 2023, English Major

My chemistry knowledge and teaching experience helped me address students’ problems to some extent, yet I also recognized that they were not enough. Teaching methods learned in the course, such as case teaching and group discussions, enabled me to guide students more effectively in understanding chemistry and solving learning difficulties. By applying these new methods, I gradually found an effective way to tutor students.

— Xiao Guangwei, Grade 2023, Applied Chemistry Major

Through participating in the entire wall-painting project, from creative conception to actual painting, I learned the techniques and requirements of each step. Communicating with military family members made me fully realize that wall painting is not only artistic creation but also emotional expression and communication.

— Luo Jin, Grade 2022, Civil Engineering Major

What I learned in this course helped me better understand others’ needs. To truly grasp demands requires in-depth research and adequate early preparation, followed by timely feedback and adjustment after receiving responses, so as to better meet needs and complete tasks.

— Yang Weiyu, Grade 2022, Visual Communication Design Major

The implementation of the "Glorious Families" National Defense Education and Service Labor Course enabled students to learn and carry forward the spirit of service labor, actively promote national defense knowledge, and bring warmth and support to military families. Taking this course as an opportunity, we will continue to uphold the concept of service labor education, strengthen the promotion of national defense knowledge in the new era, and contribute youthful energy to the development of national defense and the realization of the dream of a strong military in the new era.

Written by: Yu Shuai, Yang Haolong, Chen Houwen, Li Mingming

Photographed by: Yu Shuai, Yang Haolong, Chen Houwen