The SDG Open Hack@Tsinghua University, a special event for middle school students, took place on September 21, 2024, at the Shenzhen Institute of Economics and Management (SIEM), Tsinghua University. The event aimed to provide students with a high-quality platform for learning and development, boost their skills, and promote innovation in education. Forty-three students from 18 middle schools in Shenzhen's Futian District participated. The event was co-hosted by Tsinghua x-lab and the Futian District Education Bureau, with SIEM as a co-organizer.

Photo of the SDG Open Hack@Tsinghua University event

During the event, students were able to choose challenge topics based on their interests and form interdisciplinary teams on-site to develop innovative solutions addressing specific fields and sustainable development issues. The teams then presented their solutions to a panel of jurors and the public.

The event began with the "First SDG Impressions: Movers Sustainable Development Workshop," where experts from international organizations delivered keynote speeches, explaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and outlining the learning objectives and course guidelines for students. Afterward, students participated in the "Game + Team Formation" phase, where they discussed case studies and formed teams. The second segment, "SDG Innovation Advancement: Enhancing Innovative Thinking and Designing Social Innovation Solutions Workshop," featured professors from Tsinghua University as keynote speakers. They introduced the learning objectives, course structure, SDG Open Hack content. Speakers presented innovation tools and methodologies, further exploring themes of the challenge and related issues. Student teams collaborated to record and organize their ideas and discuss the questions, and worked under the guidance of supervisors to refine and finalize their proposals. They also spoke with keynote speakers to enhance their final presentation. The workshop concluded with "SDG Results Showcase," where keynote speakers provided feedback on the students' projects.

"This SDG Open Hack has been a truly amazing experience for me. Over 10 hours of focused collaboration, a simple idea gradually evolved into a concrete design proposal - this experience is a valuable takeaway," said one participating student. "At the finals, beyond presenting our own ideas, it was especially important to observe and learn from the design thinking of other teams."

Student teams collaborate and present at SDG Open Hack@Tsinghua University.

"Innovation isn't just about great inventions, nor is it limited to great scientists," said HE Ping, deputy dean of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM), during his speech. He said SDG Open Hack@Tsinghua University is dedicated to integrating high-quality educational resources both within and beyond the university, offering students valuable opportunities to engage in innovation. Through hands-on learning activities that stimulate idea exchange, students gain dynamic growth, strengthen their innovative mindset, and develop the skills needed to solve real-world challenges.

HE Ping speaks via video link at the event.

ZHAO Meng, deputy director of the Futian District Education Bureau, highlighted the significant impact of the SDG Open Hack@Tsinghua University on advancing middle school teaching reforms. He said the event not only enhances students' understanding of SDGs but also showcases Futian District's active collaboration with Tsinghua x-lab in promoting science, technology and innovation education. By fostering innovative talent cultivation models, the event integrates education, science, technology, and talent development. It also creates new opportunities for Futian to strengthen science and innovation education, preparing future talents with a strong sense of innovation and social responsibility.

ZHAO Meng speaks at the event.

The project has been ongoing in Futian District for two years, and Tsinghua x-lab has committed to further enhancing the mechanisms for science, technology and innovation education. By continuously developing courses in these fields and building a comprehensive curriculum system, Tsinghua x-lab aims to fully implement the guiding principles of the National Conference on Education. The goal is to inspire students' passion for sustainable development and innovation, while cultivating outstanding talents equipped to thrive in the future.

A group photo

SDG Open Hack@Tsinghua University began at Tsinghua University in the fall of 2019, making it China's first innovation focused on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event has received strong support from organizations such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Embassy of Switzerland in China. In 2023, the event expanded to include middle school students, aiming to inspire them to apply sustainable development concepts, break away from traditional thinking, and develop innovative solutions through teamwork and goal-oriented exploration.