This week Castilleja is hosting a group of six students and two teachers from Shanghai No. 3 Girls' School. The purpose of the trip is to inspire the students to pursue their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and robotics, while also fostering an exchange of both knowledge and culture between the two schools.

In pursuit of China’s most recent Five-Year Plan, these educators are here to learn how we are promoting creativity and innovation in our classrooms. “Here in the Silicon Valley some are concerned about keeping pace with China’s educational system. And yet, China looks to the United States for guidance on how to provide a hands-on, problem-based education which will prepare their students for creativity and innovation,” says Head of School Nanci Kauffman.

This delegation was invited to spend a week in Palo Alto by Nanci when she learned on her most recent visit to China that the physics teachers at Shanghai No. 3 were struggling to engage girls in robotics. This weekend the delegation will be attending the Silicon Valley Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at San Jose State University to see Castilleja’s Robotics Team in action. In a challenge dubbed “Aerial Assist,” Castilleja will collaborate with peer schools to score goals through a “robotic alliance.” The delegation will also take a deep dive into the innovative culture of the Silicon Valley through visits to the Tech Museum and companies such as Facebook and Google.

Bourn Idea Lab Director and Robotics Faculty Advisor Angi Chau believes that this trip will leave the Shanghai visitors with an enduring sense of what it means to both think critically and act creatively: “When these girls get back to Shanghai, they will have a new lens through which to view their studies.”

The girls will be staying at the homes of Casti community members, and the teachers will be residing at the Lockey Alumnae House. Please be sure to say "hello" to them around campus and make them feel welcome!