At 15:48 on March 31, 2023 | Source: people's Daily-Shandong Channel

The future is already here. Twenty years ago, people who used public phone booths could not have imagined that they would be able to make video calls to people on the other side of the world for free through smartphones and 4G or 5G networks anytime and anywhere. The innovation of science and technology has revolutionized the way we produce and live. For instance, the birth of Dolly, the world's first successfully cloned mammal, through modern engineering, laid the foundation for the further development of biotechnology in cloning and captured the public's imagination. Many scenarios that were once the stuff of science fiction and movies are now becoming a reality.

A biology experiment conducted by Laoshan Experimental School's middle school in Qingdao has recently caused a sensation among teachers and students. After dozens of days of careful cultivation, a yolk egg with beaten egg whites in a "bowl" gradually developed into a chicken. When the whole school class was unaware, it "quietly" kicked off the plastic wrap covering the mouth of the bowl with its feet, turned over, and climbed out of the experimental bowl. As a chicken that grew out of a "bowl", it was surprised to find that its friends were pecking at the shell and struggling to get out. The experimental chick seemed to wonder, "how did my friends come out of the strange eggshell?" Shouldn't they grow up in a bowl like me? "

This magical scene was the result of an eight-month experimental design called "no eggshell hatching" in the eighth-grade biology group of the school. The control experimental group has eggshell hatching, and the students were amazed by the different results.

Picture of hatching process without eggshell

"The key to the success of the eggshell-free incubation experiment is the need to maintain aseptic conditions throughout the entire process to prevent bacterial contamination of the eggs. We have prepared a total of 16 contingency plans for this experiment, and if any accidents occur,, we will immediately implement a backup plan. Due to experimental limitations, we had to take two steps to ensure aseptic conditions: traditional pasteurization and using cling film to cover a small bowl to simulate the shape of a gooseneck bottle and prevent bacteria from entering the experimental bowl. " Yang Qiaosen, a student in Class 2, Grade 8, and one of the main members of the experimental team, as he presented his report to reporters.

"The eggshell-free incubation experiment is a typical experiment in the field of biology, and it may be used in the research and development of science and technology related to the treatment of cancer and other diseases in the future. To unveil the mystery of the eggshell-free incubation experiment, the students and teachers in our class made full preparations, carried out a large number of data investigations, and carried out related technical training and mathematical modelling. Through practical operation, students generally feel that this experiment is a test of the technology of scientific and technological personnel, a proof of biotechnology, the efforts of the participants, as well as the respect and awe for life. " Said Zhang Xiaoling, director of the school's biology experiment. "The crucial way to improve students' scientific literacy is through practical inquiry. The experiment's process of the experiment is the process of improving children's abilities. It can also plant a seed of exploration and innovation for students who are interested in pursuing a career in this field and continue to thrive in the days to come."

Biology teacher Zhang Xiaoling instructs students Yang Qiaosen (right) and Zhao Junhao (left) to carry out the experiment.

Dr. Li Mingyi, a deputy to the Qingdao Municipal people's Congress and chief scientist of Qingdao Haihua Biology, who has obtained a number of national patents in biomedicine, closely followed the school's experimental process and was thrilled to hear the news. He encouraged students and said, "Shell-less incubation can be used in genetic modification scientific research in the future." The successful incubation in a relatively simple experimental environment in school demonstrated that the aseptic operation throughout the experiment is very successful. I would like to congratulate the experimental team on their phased results. "

Apart from the biology teacher's support and guidance for the entire experiment, the school also attaches great importance to protecting and cultivating students' creativity. School leaders stated that the school's original intention for carrying out this experiment is to firmly implement the "double reduction" policy and promote "mass entrepreneurship and innovation." After completing their homework in a reasonable time, students would spend more time and energy participating in extracurricular clubs and practical activities. By reducing the amount of daily work and enriching students' spare time life, the school not only adds vitality to the campus, and lets students experience the joy of innovation and sense of achievement, but also helps to stimulate students' learning initiative and improve their academic performance.

It is understood that while implementing the "double reduction", Laoshan Experimental School made great efforts to cultivate the "soil" of innovation and creation. With regard to this eggshell-free incubation experiment, School Principal Zhang Xing said to reporters, "the birth of the eggshell-free chicken 'small bowl' in our school has brought new vitality to the practical teaching of the whole school, and our school will continue to create suitable educational conditions for talents in various fields. The school has also organized a variety of interesting clubs such as robot design, drone operation, film and television appreciation, English dubbing, music, sports, arts, etc., to make children's campus life rich and colorful. In our eyes, students are like nestlings, the school is to protect their nature and stimulate their creativity, helping them become eagles, and training more innovative and creative talents for the country. " (Wang Xiaodan)

(Edited by Liu Yingjie, Xing Manhua)