Internet of Things Engineering College
Special Feature on Summer Social Practice
(Part Four)
As dawn breaks
In the maze of paths, reflecting the footprints of knowledge, the unquenchable flame and brilliance of youthful ideals surge amidst the heat waves. We measure with our steps and perceive with our hearts, composing the symphony of growth. Welcome to the opening of the summer social practice special feature.
Part 1
Huishan Clay Art Inherits Ancient Charm, Practice Song Opens New Journey
— “Craftsmanship and Clay Rhythm” Practice Team —
To promote excellent traditional culture and advance the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, the “Craftsmanship and Clay Rhythm” practice team from Wuxi University set off on July 3 to the former site of the Huishan Clay Figurine Factory and the Clay Figurine Museum. They actively practiced the important measures of protecting excellent traditional culture and promoting cultural confidence, conducting a seven-day social practice themed on inheriting the Huishan clay figurine intangible cultural heritage, embodying the mission of cultural transmission through youthful actions.
Tracing Back: Touching the Historical Context of Clay Figurines
To explore the historical roots of Huishan clay figurines, team members successively entered the Huishan Clay Figurine Factory and the Huishan Clay Figurine Museum. They paused in the exhibition hall, listening to explanations, and intuitively perceived the evolution of clay craftsmanship from traditional forms to innovative works. Upon entering the Clay Figurine Museum, precious exhibits and detailed historical materials unfolded in sequence. Following the steps of the live broadcaster, they witnessed how clay figurine culture carries the profound power of intangible cultural heritage through cultural creativity, allowing intangible cultural heritage to create new ripples in the river of time.
Image | Team members visit the Huishan Clay Figurine Factory and study the stories of relevant masters
Image | Team members listen to detailed explanations from staff
Interaction: Building a Bridge for Cultural Transmission
Upholding the original intention of “connecting tradition and the present with youthful strength”, the “Craftsmanship and Clay Rhythm” practice team deeply engaged in the interactive transmission of clay figurines. They conducted a small classroom for clay figurine skills Q&A, immersed in hands-on experiences, assisted in guiding children’s creations, and helped Teacher Zhou Lu answer the children’s questions, gaining insights into traditional craftsmanship from the perspective of childlike innocence. At the same time, they focused on the cultural stories behind the works in the museum, delving into research and organizing accumulated knowledge to prepare vibrant materials for telling the story of clay figurine culture. Through diverse interactions, team members not only conveyed clay figurine skills but also gained new inspirations from the children, energizing the transmission of intangible cultural heritage.
Image | Observing and accompanying children in the clay figurine skills classroom
Image | Relevant clay figurine exhibits in the exhibition hall
Expansion: Exploring Diverse Paths of Inheritance
Based on the in-depth experience of clay figurine skills and cultural stories, team members further expanded the dimensions of practice, exploring diverse paths for the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. They actively connected with local cultural and creative studios, visiting in person to understand how clay figurine elements are integrated into modern design. Classic clay figurine images were transformed into cultural and creative products such as bookmarks, and live streaming sales progressed simultaneously, allowing ancient memories to “live” in the present and “ignite” towards the future. After the visit, team members discussed topics such as “how traditional craftsmanship adapts to modern aesthetics”, allowing the team to break out of a single skill learning approach and inject innovative thinking and developmental vitality into the inheritance.
Image | Some cultural and creative products of clay figurines
With the expectation of “revitalizing intangible cultural heritage through youthful actions”, team members deeply recognized the value and significance of Huishan clay figurines. The charm of traditional craftsmanship lies in the craftsmanship passed down through generations. The “Craftsmanship and Clay Rhythm” practice team will take this practice as an opportunity to integrate the dissemination of clay figurine culture into youthful actions, becoming both “guardians” of traditional skills and “practitioners” of cultural innovation. Through creative promotion and other actions, they will inject youthful vitality into the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, allowing Huishan clay figurines to continue to shine in the new era.
Image | Team members take a group photo in front of the museum exhibition area
Image | Team members take a group photo in front of the former site of the Huishan Clay Figurine Factory
Part 2
Following the Red Footsteps, Inheriting the Revolutionary Spirit
— Red Footprints and Light Seekers Team —
To deeply explore the code of red faith and inherit the revolutionary spirit, from July 8 to 17, 2025, the “Red Footprints and Light Seekers Team” from the Internet of Things Engineering College of Wuxi University visited several red education bases in Wuxi City, conducting a ten-day summer social practice activity themed “Following the Red Footsteps, Inheriting the Revolutionary Spirit”. Through on-site visits and writing reflections, team members deeply felt the revolutionary spirit and practiced their youthful vows through action.
Traversing Jiangnan to Defeat the Enemy, the Iron Army Spirit is Passed Down Generations
On July 10, the team conducted red education practice at the New Fourth Army Jiang Kang East Advance Memorial Hall, engaging in dialogue with revolutionary relics by cleaning and maintaining the exhibition hall—wiping old photos from the “Blood Battle at Huangtutang”, organizing the “Night Raid at Huxu Pass” battle maps, and studying historical materials on the “Burning of Hongqiao Airport”, feeling the spirit of the Iron Army. Subsequently, the team moved to the Xidong Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, where they collectively mourned in front of the solemn monument, carefully wiping the names of martyrs on the memorial wall. The spiritual monument forged by the blood of the martyrs eternally shines on the northern foothills of Huishan, inspiring team members to inherit the red gene while touching history, transforming the memories of the war into the driving force for progress in the new era.
Image | Team members take a group photo at the New Fourth Army Jiang Kang East Advance Memorial Hall
Image | Team members pay tribute to the martyrs
Visiting the Homes of Ancestors, Drawing Strength for Progress
On July 12, the team visited the former residence of Zhang Wentian, conducting practice in five exhibition areas themed on “Seeking Truth for National Salvation” and “Persisting in Truth and Striving for a Lifetime”. Team members carefully wiped the exhibition boards and organized cultural relics. When they discovered a yellowed notebook annotated by Zhang Wentian in the study, the neat and detailed notes moved everyone—this not only witnessed the lifelong learning spirit of revolutionary predecessors but also represents a valuable asset that needs to be inherited to achieve the second centenary goal. By personally organizing the relics of the former residence, team members deeply felt the noble character of the older generation of revolutionaries who sought truth and worked hard.
Image | Team members take a group photo in front of the former residence
Image | Team members pay tribute to the predecessors with words
Telling Red Stories, Spreading Revolutionary Culture
On July 14, the team served as volunteer narrators in the “Blood and Fire City Memory” exhibition area at the Wuxi Museum, recounting the touching stories of Wuxi people who endured trials during the revolutionary years and nurtured heroic children. In the interactive exhibition area, team members experienced simulating sending telegrams, and the “tick-tock” sound of the telegraph key seemed to transcend time, bringing everyone back to the war-torn era. Through narration and interaction, members deeply realized that the sacrifices and dedication of their predecessors have brought about today’s beautiful life, and as young people in the new era, they should inherit the red spirit and continue to strive in their respective positions.
Image | Team members take a group photo in the exhibition area
Image | Team members try sending telegrams
Understanding the Yan’an Spirit, Strengthening Original Intent and Mission
On July 16, the team conducted practice at the Yan’an Spirit Learning Center in Wuxi. Through multimedia technology, the magnificent scene of Hukou Waterfall and the passionate melody of the “Yellow River Cantata” immersed the members in the experience. The rich exhibitions and interactive experiences vividly showcased the era’s call to “go to Yan’an”, allowing young people to deeply feel the Yan’an spirit. This “home-based” red education provided members with a spiritual baptism through immersive experiences, drawing strength for progress.
Image | Team members take a group photo at the learning center
This ten-day summer “Exploring Red Holy Sites, Inheriting Revolutionary Spirit” social practice activity allowed team members to deeply appreciate the heroic deeds and noble spirit of revolutionary predecessors through on-site visits, volunteer narration, and writing reflections. From the Iron Army spirit, martyrs’ monuments, and the qualities of predecessors to the Yan’an spirit, each stop spiritually baptized the team members, strengthening their belief in contributing to the realization of the second centenary goal. In the future, they will continue to promote the revolutionary spirit, strengthen their original intent and mission, and write even more brilliant chapters in the journey of the new era.
Part 3
Youth Together Against Fraud, Silver-Haired Guardians Lead the Way
— “Silver Age Guardians” Practice Team —
To create a safe, harmonious, and stable social environment, and to practice the solemn vow of “National Anti-Fraud, Youth First”, the “Silver Age Guardians” practice team from Wuxi University, in July 2024, collaborated with Runxin Community to carry out the “Silver Hair Classroom, Cybersecurity Guardianship” themed activity. Through a three-pronged practical approach of “research foundation + immersive experience + anti-fraud classroom”, they effectively expanded the anti-fraud experience from “single-point breakthroughs” to “chain protection” to build a solid anti-fraud “firewall” for the elderly.
Research First to Clarify Ideas, Precise Service for Practical Results
To accurately identify the key points of fraud prevention for the elderly, Runxin Community and the practice team jointly developed an “online + offline” preliminary research plan. The community pushed targeted WeChat questionnaires to summarize high-frequency issues; team members visited the elderly, listening carefully to their experiences or stories of fraud, categorizing types of scams and psychological weaknesses. Through data cross-analysis and case classification, the team summarized various types of scams that the elderly are prone to fall for, such as “false advertising for health products”, “illegal fundraising and investment”, and “scanning codes to receive gifts to steal information”, and designed activities like an anti-fraud supermarket that align with the cognitive habits of the elderly, laying a solid foundation for subsequent precise anti-fraud efforts.
Image | Team members conduct home visits and explain anti-fraud knowledge
Anti-Fraud Supermarket Cleverly Built, Real-World Experience Raises Awareness
At the “anti-fraud supermarket” at the Runxin Community event site, anti-fraud knowledge circulated with the local atmosphere. One member acted as a guide, leading the elderly through four experience zones. On the shelves, soy sauce contrasted with empty health product boxes labeled with red warning tags, intuitively revealing the traps of counterfeit goods; next to the model of a “high-interest savings book” on the finance shelf, yellow warning tags reminded of high-interest risks; the scanning code and massage device on the trap shelf prompted the elderly to think about the hidden tricks behind “free” offers; at the checkout counter, volunteers simulated a checkout scene, explaining payment fraud. Through full interaction with the members, the elderly strengthened their anti-fraud awareness in real-world experiences.
Image | Team members explain the “high-interest savings book” scam to the elderly
Chain Protection Shows Real Effect, Anti-Fraud Awareness Takes Root
To weave a three-dimensional protective network for the elderly, the team split into multiple groups to visit surrounding communities, working with community leaders to promote anti-fraud awareness among local elderly residents. Members analyzed various community fraud cases, restoring high-risk scenarios such as data leaks through “case analysis” and guiding emergency response processes; through case studies and poster promotions, they detailed various scams targeting the elderly, reminding everyone to be vigilant when receiving strange calls or suspicious text links, resolutely adhering to the principles of not listening, not believing, not disclosing, and not transferring funds, ensuring that the anti-fraud line takes root deeply in the hearts of residents from the “streets and alleys”.
Image | Practice team members interview community leaders
Image | Team members conduct anti-fraud promotion
This activity not only effectively enhanced the anti-fraud awareness and self-protection capabilities of the elderly community but also created a strong social atmosphere of respecting, loving, and assisting the elderly, fully demonstrating the role of young volunteers as a new force in anti-fraud work. In the future, the team will continue to innovate activity formats, using volunteer service as a needle and serving the community as a thread, to build a deeply rooted intelligent defense line in the digital age.
Image | Team members take a group photo
Image text source: Internet of Things Engineering College
Editor | Zhang Xiansu
Initial Review | Qi Mingyang, Guo Xinyang
Re-examination | Sun Hao, Zang Wenjia