Tsinghua International School (THIS) embraced on March 25, 2026, one of its most anticipated annual traditions: Tech Day.
This year, something felt different. The usual rhythm of observing and spectating gave way to something far more immersive. Students stepped out of the audience and into the action, rolling up their sleeves in hands-on workshops where curiosity met creation.
No longer passive observers, they became builders, testers, and problem-solvers. Moving as groups through curated activities, they collaborated, experimented, and navigated real challenges — and in the process, discovered not just how technology works, but what it makes possible when you're the one holding the tools.
"This year’s Tech Day focuses on hands-on, student-centered exploration of technology," said Dr. Adriana Mallary, Head of Technology Department at THIS.
1 Event Highlights
➡ At the VEX Robotics station, students split into home room-based teams and dove straight into the action — building, controlling, and commanding their robots.
The challenges were as varied as they were exciting: some teams raced against the clock, maneuvering their robots along a fixed path to shave off every possible second; others faced tasks like lifting objects or sinking baskets, where precision and strategy made all the difference.
The energy in the room was electric. In the blend of collaboration and competition, students didn't just learn about robotics — they felt the thrill of it, with their hands on the controls and eyes on the goal.
➡ The Gallery Walk unfolded across two sections — one for Middle School, one for High School — transforming the space into something like an interactive museum. Here, the yearlong creative journeys of students in technology-related subjects were on full display.
But this was no passive stroll. Each student carried a "Field Investigation" guide, a thoughtfully designed sheet with probing questions for every booth along the walkway. Their mission: to look closely, to explore, to engage with their peers' work — and in doing so, to uncover the answers themselves.
➡ At the Computer Science workshop, students worked on a platform powered by an integrated online game engine that supports programming languages like Python and JavaScript — making it accessible to learners at all levels.
Following the "Code an Adventure" tutorial, they moved step by step through each level, eventually crafting a text-based adventure game of their own. Unlike traditional coding lessons, this approach was built for engagement.
It gave students not only a playable game to call their own, but also the freedom to inject their personal creativity into the code. The workshop struck a chord across grade levels, with Middle School students showing a particularly infectious enthusiasm.
➡ At the Quiz Bowls, the puzzles spanned a wide range of tech topics—STEAM, CS (Computer Science), Creative Media, and Digital Citizenship. It was a test not only of how much students knew, but how fast they could summon that knowledge under pressure.
Teams competed head-to-head, and the moment each question was announced, they were racing against the clock to buzz in. The atmosphere ignited instantly.
In the blink of an eye, correct answers flew out, each one a spark of quick thinking — and in that arena, those sparks collided again and again, lighting up the room with the thrill of intellectual pursuit.
➡ At the Escape Room, students worked in teams to tackle a series of tightly crafted challenges — each solution unlocking the next stage, one step closer to breaking free. Every puzzle revolved around technology, drawing from computer science, STEAM, digital literacy, and logical thinking.
Designed to connect with what students had learned in their tech classes, the challenges turned knowledge into a playful yet purposeful test of skill. In the thrill of the chase, they sharpened their minds without even realizing it.
2 Tech Day: Master Talk
This year's Tech Day featured a new addition: a "Master Talk" session.
Professor Xu Wei, Vice Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences and Adjunct Professor in the College of AI at Tsinghua University, delivered a captivating lecture on AI safety — one that left the audience thinking long after it ended.
Professor Xu began with a question that immediately captured the auditorium: Has AI already begun to develop self-awareness? From there, he guided students through the implications — why such awareness could pose profound safety risks. He laid out the short-term, long-term, and systemic risks of using AI, urging students to approach AI — especially AI agents — with both curiosity and caution.
When the lecture ended, students lingered, gathering around him with questions, unwilling to let the moment go.
3 This Year's Highlights
This year's Tech Day marked a shift: students moved from absorbing knowledge to creating, experimenting, and applying what they had learned. The transformation reflects the evolving philosophy of technology education at THIS — one that not only meets the demands of the digital age and the rise of AI, but also reinforces the vital role of interdisciplinary thinking.
Another standout feature this year was the prominence of student Leadership, which is one of the Core Values at THIS. Upperclassmen stepped into meaningful roles throughout the day — guiding younger peers, assisting with logistics, and offering support wherever it was needed.
In so doing, they sharpened their communication skills, deepened their sense of responsibility, and brought a spirit of collaboration and warmth to the event. It was a powerful reminder of how their leadership continues to grow.
4 Expectations from Tech Dept
The three teachers from the Tech Department — Dr. Adriana Mallary (C), Mr. Paul Moon (L), and Mr. Angelito Balboa (R) — shared their perspective:
"Tech Day is more than an annual event. It's a microcosm of how learning can happen."
Their hope is that every student at THIS, whether during Tech Day or in their daily studies, will:
➡ Engage actively and collaboratively with their schoolwork,
➡ Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills,
➡ Demonstrate curiosity and willingness to experiment, and
➡ Reflect on how technology connects to real-world contexts.
"We believe the significance of Tech Day lies not only in acquiring skills, but in cultivating students' confidence and courage when facing unfamiliar technological challenges," they said.
5 Final Thoughts
For Tsinghua International School (THIS), Tech Day is far more than just a technology event.
It bears witness to growth. Here, students transform from spectators into participants, from learners into creators. With each attempt and every breakthrough, they catch a glimpse of their own progress and what becomes possible.
And it is an act of empowerment — one that invites students to grow through thinking, to find confidence in creating, and to become leaders within an ever-changing technological landscape.
