Central Lee sophomore science fair students Addison Hohl and Caedon Newton were selected by Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach and Iowa 4-H Youth Development to travel, all expenses paid, to several cities in China in early April. The study tour entitled “Inheritance of Friendship” has been organized annually since 2023, but this particular trip is said to be the last.
Hohl and Newton traveled with a group of 24 other Iowa college and high school educators, farmers, and science-focused students. The group initially flew from Detroit to Shanghai, then later visited Beijing and Shijiazhuang.
This trip was developed as a “50,000 in five years” initiative by the Chinese government with a goal of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for study and exchange programs over a five-year period. This program allows American students to experience the country and learn about its culture. Under this policy, The Inheritance of Friendship Study Tour emerged as a group partnership between the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School and students and teachers from Iowa. Chinese students are paired with American students to learn about Chinese culture from their peers.
Hohl and Newton visited Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School to experience Chinese traditional culture and sports classes. Newton enjoyed playing ping-pong and carving artwork. After participating in a group forum, the travelers visited a local dairy, Junlebao Dairy Company, LTD.
“It was important to our traveling group of science-minded individuals to compare and contrast Chinese operations to what we typically experience in the United States,” Newton commented. “I was surprised to find we have a lot in common with China, even though we are worlds apart,” he remarked.
While at the school, the students also participated in the Gingko Project, an effort to continue collaboration between Iowa and China. The travelers wrote their hopes for the future of Chinese-American relations and tied them to a gingko tree. This tree is associated with resilience and longevity, and is a reminder that the most enduring relationships and diplomacy are often built from the bottom up.
Hohl and Newton also explored Peking University, the Palace Museum, the Great Hall of People, Tian’anmen Square, Zhengding Ancient Town, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Chenghuang Temple and the Bund. Other cultural experiences for the two included visiting the Great Wall of China, seeing pandas at the zoo, and riding a high-speed train.
Due to their extensive history in science research, the pair of science fair students were well-prepared to discuss issues surrounding farming and technology with their new-found international peers. For five years Hohl has investigated the effects of biodegradable materials on water quality using bioreactors. Newton continues to compare the energy efficiency of various pathfinding algorithms for autonomous vehicles in small to mid-sized cities. They have had many successes on the state, national, and international levels with their research projects.
Hohl reflected on the trip, stating, “I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go on a once in a lifetime trip! I had the pleasure of visiting new places, immersing myself into a different culture, trying new things, and most importantly making new connections with others that will last a lifetime.”
Both Hohl and Newton express their appreciation to Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach and Iowa 4-H Youth Development for organizing the trip. Due to the fact that their selection into the study tour was in large part due to their science success, they would also like to recognize the support given to them by Central Lee’s Science Fair sponsors: Alicia Schiller, Amanda Schiller Myhre, Allison Krehbiel, and Jansen Menke.