A crowd gasped in surprise as a student gently tapped a banana—ding!—and a watermelon followed—dong! At this wildly popular booth, ordinary fruit became a musical instrument, wired through a circuit to play sounds on a laptop. 

Just around the corner, 3D pens buzzed with creativity, VR headsets transported students into new dimensions, and hands-on demos drew cries of “wow” at every turn. 

This was the OMNIA STEAM Exhibition at YCIS Shanghai Puxi—an inspiring showcase of student innovations across science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. 

“OMNIA,” meaning “everything” in Latin, captures the inclusive spirit of this event: a celebration of ideas, connections, and limitless possibilities. 

From mathematical models to AI-generated art, from immersive tech like VR and 3D pens to VEX robotics and installation pieces—our students brought their STEAM ideas to life. Showcasing work across math, design, engineering, and the arts, the exhibition highlighted how creative thinking can turn complex ideas into real-world solutions. 

Projects on display ranged from a smart cat food dispenser to a sports earbud stabiliser and even a cane that lights up in the dark—each reflecting thoughtful user insight, material exploration, and elegant design solutions. 

For some students, innovation meant diving deep into scientific research.

Mr Ron Dayaram, Head of Science at YCIS Shanghai Puxi Secondary, highlighted the value of making science visible:“We want students to not only learn science, but to live it.”

By partnering with Renaissance Labs in Shanghai, students engaged in advanced biology experiments using professional equipment—bringing textbook concepts to life with their own hands. 

Ella, a Year 11 student and leader of the science booth, shared her experience, 

"Our booth showcased the Medical Immersion Program, a week-long experience at Raffles Hospital in Chongqing. We participated in various activities such as workshops, lectures, and shadowing certain specialists. My favourite part was the dentistry workshop, where I got to mould someone’s teeth. It was interesting to try it myself, and I enjoyed sharing all my experiences with those who visited my booth."

Held at the Ronghua Gallery, the OMNIA exhibition transformed the space into a dynamic hub of creativity and exploration. 

As one parent shared, “I was truly impressed—not just by what the students created, but by the depth of thought behind each project. It’s amazing to see such maturity and creativity at this age.” 

As OMNIA, continues to unfold, what stands out is not only the impressive range of student work, but the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and purposeful inquiry that defines STEAM learning at YCIS. 

Each project invites our community to explore how ideas take shape—and how innovation begins with a question. 

"Putting together our 2nd STEAM Exhibition has been incredibly rewarding," shared Ms Elena Hasnaș, Curator and Artist-in-Residence. "Seeing students' creativity come to life, supported by our vital parent volunteers, truly highlights YCIS's holistic approach. The gallery has beautifully hosted our year's events while showcasing our community's diverse talents." 

Ms Jane Sun, Chinese Co-Principal of YCIS Shanghai Puxi, added: 

“I am proud to celebrate the incredible creativity and innovation of our students through OMNIA, our 2nd STEAM exhibition. This event showcases the limitless possibilities when math, science, technology, art, and engineering come together, inspiring our community to think beyond boundaries and embrace the future.”