Inspiring Creativity and Collaboration: BSB attended The GAILA XR Asia Cup Challenge

Please click above to watch the video created by our students together with their teammates from other schools.

On 5^th and 6^th May, 2023, our talented year Year 12 IB Diploma Computer Science students from The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi participated in the exhilarating GAILA XR Asia Cup Challenge at Tianjin International School. This event provided a unique opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and innovation using Extended Reality (XR) technology. With a focus on addressing climate change, our students not only embraced the challenge but also excelled in collaboration and networking with peers from different schools and backgrounds.

The XR Asia Cup Challenge:

At the XR Asia Cup Challenge, students were tasked with creating a video on climate change using XR technology. Working in mixed teams, our students utilized the power of Extended Reality to enhance their videos with immersive 2D and 3D data visualizations and graphs. This innovative approach allowed for more impactful and engaging visuals to raise awareness about climate change.

Unleashing Creativity and Innovation:

Our students from the British School of Beijing fully embraced the challenge and demonstrated creativity and innovation throughout the event. They utilized cutting-edge XR technology and leveraged a dedicated website to display their data-driven visuals in a captivating manner. By pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling, they effectively conveyed the urgency and importance of addressing climate change.

Collaboration and Networking:

The XR Asia Cup Challenge provided an invaluable opportunity for our students to collaborate and network with peers from different schools and backgrounds. By working in mixed teams, they learned to appreciate diverse perspectives, enhance their communication skills, and build lasting friendships. The event fostered an environment of teamwork, where students supported and learned from one another.

Student Testimonials:

Participating in the GAILA XR Asia Cup Challenge was a transformative experience for our students from the British School of Beijing (BSB). Their commitment to creativity, innovation, and collaboration was evident throughout the event. By utilizing XR technology to address climate change, they showcased their ability to leverage cutting-edge tools for social impact.

We are immensely proud of Nicholas Liu, Michael Wanjara, Felix Höhne, and all the students who represented BSB at the XR Asia Cup Challenge, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth as they lead the way in harnessing immersive technologies for positive change.

Please see some students who participated in the XR Asia Cup Challenge shared their experiences below.

Michael said:

"In Tianjin, we attended the XR Asia Cup 2023 where our task in our mixed teams was to make a video on climate change. We used extended reality with a website to display 2D and 3D data/graphs in our videos for better visuals. I had a lot of fun, as I got to become familiar with new software that is very useful, and I met a lot of new people whom I became friends with. Overall, I enjoyed myself a lot and improved my collaboration skills."

Nicolas said:

"As a student who took part in the inaugural GAILA Asia XR Cup Challenge 2023, I am delighted to share my experience and reflections on this unique and exciting event.

First and foremost, it was a pleasure to work with other students from different schools who share the same interest in immersive technologies such as VR/AR/MR. Together, we learned how these technologies can be used in schools to improve computational and innovative thinking competencies. It was inspiring to see how other schools have embraced XR technologies and implemented them to enhance their teaching and learning.

During the event, we were challenged to create immersive data visualizations that could shift the climate story from doom and gloom to optimism and possibilities. In teams of five, we were tasked with producing a collaborative immersive data story to present to a panel of judges and invited guests at the conclusion of the event. It was a challenging but fulfilling experience, and I am proud of the final product that my team produced.

Apart from the challenge itself, I also enjoyed the social events and networking opportunities that were provided. The reception and meal at the event venue on Friday evening were a great way to relax after a day of hard work and connect with other participants and guests. It was also interesting to learn about the different schools and their unique approaches to teaching and learning with XR technologies.

The event was well-organized, and I appreciated the efforts of GAILA and IST in arranging transportation, providing equipment, and ensuring that all participants and guests were comfortable. The hotel and school venue were both excellent, and the daily schedule of events was well-planned. 

Overall, I had a wonderful time at the GAILA Asia XR Cup Challenge 2023, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have taken part in such an innovative and collaborative event. I am excited to see how schools will continue to incorporate immersive technologies in the classroom and beyond."

As a school, the British School of Beijing remains committed to providing our students with opportunities that foster innovation, collaboration, and global citizenship. We believe that events like the XR Asia Cup Challenge are essential in nurturing the skills and mindset required for a future that embraces technological advancements for the betterment of society.

Update from Dr. Babacar Gaye, Secondary Computer Science Lead