The 21st century has seen the relationship between computer algorithms and the physical world getting ever more closely intertwined. The latest example includes the American Waymo (formerly the Google self-driving car project), which will map the streets of New York City with its fleet of autonomous vehicles.
The build-up of interest at the intersection of supercomputing, communication technologies and artificial intelligence is growing exponentially. Pooled resources have resulted in cyber-physical systems (CPS), an area YCIS Shanghai alumnus Patrick Haffmans is keen to work in, as he wants to help send robots into space in the future.
The aspiring engineer is a big believer in using creativity – which is never just a catchword on his resume - to drive innovation and change.
Patrick is currently working with Weibel Scientific as an algorithm engineer after completing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at University College London. He also recently won the ‘Project of the Year’ award for his mechatronics thesis at the University of Southern Denmark.
Having spent 12 years at YCIS Shanghai, Patrick, who has German and Filipino parents, still reminisces about the supportive tight-knit community at his alma mater that fuelled his passion for technology and a desire to drive positive change in society.
We chatted with Patrick about the opportunities YCIS Shanghai had offered him, and his enduring interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
自21世纪，计算机算法与物理世界紧密交织，关系日趋密切，美国Waymo公司（前身为谷歌自驾车项目）最近利用旗下自驾车绘制纽约街道图，便是最新的例子。大众对超级电脑、通讯技术和人工智能的兴趣不断增加，资源整合衍生出信息物理系统（CPS）——这是上海耀中外籍人员子女学校校友Patrick Haffmans所热衷的领域，他期望有朝一日能将机器人送上太空。这位有远大抱负的工程师并非纸上谈兵，他坚信，只要运用创造力，定能带来创新与改变。
Patrick从伦敦大学学院（UCL）取得机械工程学士学位后，目前任职于Weibel Scientific，是一位演算法工程师。他最近撰写关于机电研究的硕士论文，获得南丹麦大学「最佳年度项目」奖。
父母来自德国及菲律宾的Patrick，在上海耀中度过了12年时光。他深情地回顾在母校的读书生涯，分享耀中社区如何透过紧密联系，激发他对科技的热情和贡献社会的热诚。
让我们透过对话，了解上海耀中如何为Patrick创造无数机会，以及他对STEM（科学、科技、工程、数学）的强烈兴趣。
Q：Tell us about your experiences while studying at YCIS Shanghai (Puxi Campus).
能否分享在上海耀中读书的经历？
A：I dearly miss my time at the YCIS Gubei Campus in Puxi. I even dream about it sometimes! It felt like a second home to me as I spent so much time there. The school community is very close and friendly. It was also exciting to see that YCIS has five campuses in Shanghai, all of which have their own spacious facilities.
答：我很怀念在上海耀中古北校区的美好时光，有好几次曾经梦回校园！我在校园度过许多时光，它如同我的第二个家。耀中是个非常紧密和友善的社区，我很高兴看到上海耀中现在有5个校区，而且每个都有宽敞的空间和设施。
Q：You grew up in Shanghai and lived in US, UK, and Denmark. How was the transition and how did you overcome the challenge of settling into a new environment?
你在上海长大，到过美国、英国和丹麦居住，你如何适应和克服新环境的挑战？
A：I have been very mobile since graduating from YCIS. I find each new location less of a challenge and more exciting. Everything is new. Adjusting to a new environment can be tough sometimes but it is fun to tackle. Finding support from other newcomers who arrive from other countries is one way to help with your transition.
Right now, I am happy to be in Copenhagen for the foreseeable future.
答：耀中毕业后，我经常在不同的地方切换，这对我而言不是挑战，更多是改变带来的兴奋。当所有事物都焕然一新，在适应阶段总会遇到困难，但这是可以克服的有趣挑战。找到那群同样来自其他地方的移居者，相互扶持，这是适应方法之一。目前， 我很高兴在可预见的未来继续在哥本哈根生活。
Q：You gained a master’s degree in mechatronics and cyber-physical systems from the University of Southern Denmark and received the BHJ award (for emerging researchers/scientists). What sparked your interest in this area?
你刚从南丹麦大学毕业，取得机电一体化——信息物理系统硕士学位，还获得了BHJ大奖。是什么激发你对这个领域的兴趣？
A：While I was at YCIS Shanghai, the design and technology, maths, and physics classes were the ones I truly enjoyed. These subjects changed my perspective on how I could apply knowledge in real life contexts.
In particular, I am really interested in control systems engineering. This is one of the most mathematically intensive fields of engineering, where maths can be applied in the real world in a very tangible way – autonomous systems for example.
答：在耀中读书时，我最享受上设计和技术、数学及物理课。这几门课程改变了我对如何在现实生活应用知识的看法。当中，我对控制系统工程产生浓厚兴趣。它是数学最密集应用的工程领域，令数学以非常具象的方式应用于现实世界，自治系统就是例子之一。
Q：Is there any advice you would like share with students who are interested in pursuing a STEM major or, specifically, mechatronics?
对于有兴趣攻读STEM或机电一体化的学弟学妹，你有什么建议？
A：I have two pieces of advice for students interested in STEM. The first is to take part in directly related extracurricular activities where you can learn some skills and basic knowledge that will come in handy later when you’re enrolled in a STEM course. Find yourself a mentor and connect with other people who share a similar interest. STEM is a very broad subject, and it is very helpful to have mentors to provide guidance.
The second piece of advice is to practice maths like an instrument. When I was at university, they said you should practice it for 20 minutes each day, like you’re learning the piano. You must turn it into muscle memory.
答：首先是多参加与STEM相关的课外活动，从中学到技术和基础知识，以后上STEM系统课程时便能派上用场。在过程中尽量找一个未来的导师，并敞开心扉多与厉害的同行者交流。STEM是一个非常广泛的领域，得到导师指导会有很大裨益。
第二点建议就是像练习乐器一样练习数学。当我在大学学习时，老师要求我每天练习数学至少20分钟，就像学钢琴一样，转化成肌肉记忆。
Q：The IB curriculum is an academically challenging and rigorous programme. What’s your advice for future students at YCIS Shanghai?
攻读IB课程富有挑战性，你对未来上海耀中的学生有什么建议？
A：The first is to have a routine where you build a structure for work and break time, and maintain it consistently. I also recommend students take advantage of the CAS (creativity, activity, service) hours. Convert a hobby into one of the CAS activities and create space to take time off.
Secondly, prioritise your rest time and keep your mind refreshed to get the most out of your study time.
Lastly, reach out for help if you are struggling. There’s always help available.
答：首先是要形成作息规律，设定工作和休息时间，并持之以恒。我建议大家好好利用CAS（创造力、活动、服务）时间，把个人兴趣爱好转化为CAS活动之一，为自己创造休息空间。
其次，重视个人休息时间，以保持头脑清醒，获得最佳的学习效果。
最后，如果有任何困难，请寻求帮助，身边总有人会伸出援手。
Q：Are you planning to come back to Shanghai? What are you up to and what's next for you?
你计划回上海么？下一步有什么打算？
A：I have not been back to Shanghai since graduation but I have already spoken to my former classmates about going back to China one day to visit the places that we all grew up in.
I‘ve just started working fulltime for Weibel Scientific, one of the leading global producers that develops and manufactures velocity and position measuring instruments based on continuous wave Doppler principles. The company, which has a strong focus on the tracking of space debris, is a supplier for space agencies including European Space Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This is really a ‘dream come true’ moment for me – to help contribute to space exploration through engineering.
答：从耀中毕业后我便没有回过上海。我和同学们经常提起，希望有一天回到中国，去看看我们一起成长的地方。
我刚在Weibel Scientific这家位居全球前列的连续波多普勒雷达生产商开展全职工作，它为欧洲航天局、美国太空总署等大型航天机构提供雷达系统，并为追踪太空碎片贡献力量。我感到很兴奋，因为利用工程学为人类太空事业工作一直是我的梦想，希望我的想法得以实践，并带来改进。我的工作和软件相关，虽然与想象中读完机械学士所从事的方向并不一样，但这就是数学的伟大之处——它在任何地方都是有用的。
The mastery of a wide range of skills is needed in the workplace today and will be of even greater importance for the next generation. Our education model provides opportunities for our students to develop crucial skills in all areas. YCIS Shanghai pays specific attention to science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths. Children experience STEAM topics not just as a speciality theme but rather as a key area of learning that is integrated across all subjects.
上海耀中历来重视STEAM教育，科技与文艺是我们校训的核心组成部分。在各个年龄阶段，我们都会通过包括艺术、音乐、科技等课程，培养学生的创造和发展能力。
Technology at the Pudong and Puxi locations is introduced in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme, starting K2 for two-year-olds. From getting used to using iPads and learning about the importance of design, to understanding programming and coding through different tools and technologies, the school’s youngest learners are exposed, in many ways, to technological activities (read more about Innovative Technology Learning and Activities at YCIS).
在上海耀中幼教部，从早期幼儿教育（ECE）课程开始，就已经引入了科技的学习。从习惯使用ipad和学习设计的重要性，到通过不同的工具和技术来理解编程和编码，学校里最年轻的学习者在很多方面都接触到了科技活动。（点击阅读上海耀中创新科技学习及活动）
In Primary, beyond day-to-day in-classroom usage, technology – including programming and coding activities – has been integrated into the school’s Education Technology (Edtech) curriculum for many years. Students continue to learn coding language and logic and begin to use more advanced tech tools and robots. Students learn programming language Scratch as the tasks become more complex, eventually adding complexity to their code scripts and building custom computer games. Both YCIS Puxi and YCIS Pudong offer students from Upper Primary to Lower Secondary have the opportunity to begin using the C programming language for programming microcomputers which helps build a strong foundation for learning other digital languages.
而在小学部，除了日常的课堂使用之外，包括编程在内的多种科技活动多年来已经融入了学校的教育科技技术（Edtech）课程。在小学低年级，学生们会继续学习编程，尝试使用更先进的科技工具，并可以自如地操控机器人；到了小学高年级，学生则通过学习C语言，编写微型计算机程序。
YCIS Shanghai Secondary students have the chance to work with more complex programming languages, like Python, and the real-time 3D development platform Unity, which is a world leader in the video games industry and is used by many renowned companies like Google, Microsoft, and Uber.
在中学阶段，学生将有机会使用高级编程语言“Python”，以及实时3D开发平台“Unity”。（“Unity”是视频游戏行业的全球领导者，被许多知名公司使用。）
In the coming week, YCIS Puxi will welcome their STEAM week where students from ECE, primary, and secondary will explore the theme “The Sustainable Festival of Light” through activities and experiments in class. Our parents are also invited to take part in the theme week for a more immersive experience for our students with daily challenges on SeeSaw shared by teachers. Stay tuned for our recap and YCIS Pudong’s STEAM week!
下周，浦西校区将率先迎来STEAM周。幼教部、小学部和中学部将在接下来的五天时间内，展开以“可持续的光”（The Sustainable Festival of Light）为主题的STEAM探究。为了让学生们能够将学校所学融入他们的日常生活，从而获得更好的科学体验，我们的家长也将通过不同的方式参与其中。我们会在下周五进行回顾与深度采访，请拭目以待孩子们的科技成果吧！
Before the Chinese New Year break, ten YCIS Secondary girls from Pudong and Puxi and four Science Department teachers came together for their first company visit to ExxonMobil as part of the Girls in STEMM programme. Girls in STEMM is an initiative to help close the gender gap in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine) fields by engaging girls in STEMM early on. Students had to apply for this programme and were selected based on their interest and passion for the initiative, ability to share their experience and learning with the school community, and adeptness to collaborate with other students to make this program meaningful to the school community. We still have four company visits left and look forward to a graduation ceremony at the YCIS Pudong Century Park Campus in April!
日前，上海耀中也开启了 “STEMM中的女孩”项目，这是一项旨在鼓励女生尽早参与，以缩小STEMM（科学、技术、工程、数学、医学）领域内性别差距的倡议及行动。在春节假期前夕，十位上海耀中高年级的女生和四名科学老师一起来到埃克森美孚公司，通过在第一线的学习，了解专业的工作环境和STEMM工作的日常。接下来，我们的学生还将走入其他四家此领域中的顶级公司访问、学习。4月份，在世纪公园校区，我们将迎来这群女生的”毕业典礼”！未来，上海耀中将持续开展此类活动，为将来有志于STEMM领域的女生们提供平台。
当然，不仅是女生，我们希望所有的学生都能踊跃参与校内外各种不同的活动，这有助于展示并实践批判性思维技能。学生能够活学活用书本中、课堂中所学的知识，并向社会更广的层面传递是教育所孜孜以求的目标。我们很高兴看到学生们取得的成就，期待在未来，他们会参与更多和STEAM相关的活动！