“Teacher, why does the race car shoot forward after a ‘pop’ and a ‘whoosh’?”
Students in Irvine Chinese School’s STEM Language Exploration class explored racing technology through an immersive mix of creativity, science, and Chinese learning.
Fresh from winning the 2026 STEM Racing U.S. National Championship, Team SW1FT captain Charles Wu and teammate Victoria Chen returned to guide students through hands-on building and racing simulations.
By building, playing, and observing, students explored engineering while practicing Chinese naturally.
Build & Design
The class began with students examining a miniature F1 car and learning about its parts, body design, and propulsion system. They then assembled cardboard race car kits provided by Charles Wu and Team SW1FT.
Along the way, they explored basic engineering concepts and described each step in Chinese—learning by building and speaking.
Simulate & React
In the racing simulator, students tested their reflexes and steering while experiencing the thrill of a fast start. The activity introduced speed control, sensors, and motion.
Excited cries of “So fast!” came naturally in Chinese, bringing the language to life through technology.
Launch & Race
This week, Charles Wu set up a racetrack and electronic timing system outside a second-floor classroom, then guided students as they launched their handmade mini F1 cars.
At the press of a button, compressed gas sent the cars rocketing down the track—drawing cheers, gasps, and laughter from the crowd.
The dramatic launch brought Newton’s third law and the conversion of compressed gas into motion vividly to life, turning abstract science into an unforgettable experience.
Create & Speak Chinese
The hands-on lesson sparked creativity and interest in technology while weaving in Chinese learning.
From predicting to building to reflecting—all in Chinese. Students listened, spoke, and wrote about STEM concepts through hands-on experiments.
“Hands-on, observation-based learning is what makes STEM meaningful,” said teacher Leah Huang.
“It brings theory to life—sparking a love for science and engineering, and encouraging kids to think and speak in Chinese.”
