On April 10, the Graduate Student Party Branch of the Civil Engineering Department at Shantou University's College of Engineering visited Shantou Waima Road No. 4 Primary School to conduct a science volunteer service activity titled "The Magic of Soil: The Scientific Mysteries of Foundations and Stability." As part of the "Building Dreams with Technology, Lighting up the Future" initiative, this event used fun experiments to lead children in exploring the engineering principles behind soil and foundations, allowing them to experience the charm of science and engineering.
Fun Experiments Revealing the Principles of Foundation Stability
Following the theme of "Hands-on Operation → Observation → Summarizing Principles," the activity featured two core experimental segments: a compacted soil comparison and a foundation reinforcement exploration. These experiments transformed abstract civil engineering knowledge into tangible phenomena.
In the compacted soil comparison experiment, volunteers guided students in preparing three types of soil samples: dry sand, wet sand, and compacted wet sand. They then conducted uniform load-bearing tests. By comparing the load-bearing capacity using weights, students intuitively grasped the positive correlation between soil compactness and foundation bearing capacity, understanding the crucial role of compaction techniques in ensuring foundation stability.
During the foundation reinforcement experiment, students used wooden sticks, water, and gravel to simulate pile foundations, geotextiles, and chemical reinforcement methods, creating a control group against unreinforced soil. After completing the reinforcement treatments, each group competed in a load-bearing challenge. By observing the performance and failure patterns of different reinforcement methods, the students gained a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts and engineering value of foundation reinforcement.
Hands-on Practice Deepening Scientific Understanding
Volunteers guided the students throughout the entire process, encouraging group collaboration and standardized operations. The students independently completed sample preparation, load testing, and data recording. Through hands-on experiments and comparative observation, the children transformed abstract knowledge into direct experiences, enhancing their observational skills, manual dexterity, and teamwork abilities.
At the end of the session, the volunteers connected the experiments to real-life scenarios such as house construction and road building. This helped students appreciate the practicality of engineering science and sparked their interest in exploring the fields of science and engineering.
Activity Summary
This activity successfully translated specialized civil engineering knowledge into an accessible science outreach format for elementary school students. It not only popularized the basic scientific principles of foundations and stability but also cultivated the students' hands-on and critical thinking skills.
The Graduate Student Party Branch of the Civil Engineering Department will continue to leverage its professional expertise to conduct regular science volunteer services. By letting the light of science illuminate the path for more children, they are demonstrating the responsibility and dedication of the younger generation through practical action.
Text: Dai Leiyan Photos: Zhou Jiaze, Jin Yongqiang
