Have you ever imagined locking eyes with a colorful corn snake on campus, or feeling the imposing presence of a kingsnake? Thanks to “Scale & Wonder,” an exhibition organized by Wang Shuhan from 11-7, this imaginative scene came to life.

On the day of the exhibition, more than 30 snakes from around the world gathered on campus, joined by leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and other unique reptiles, opening a window into the unknown for students and teachers alike. Corn snakes slithered gracefully in their enclosures, each one decorated with patterns that looked like nature’s finest artwork. The kingsnake stood out with its powerful stance and commanding aura, while the hog-nosed snake drew smiles with its upturned snout. The bullsnake, coiled calmly, radiated the rugged spirit of a survivor in the wild.

Beyond observation, students had the chance to touch these creatures under professional guidance—feeling the snakes’ cool, smooth scales and the feather-light grip of a gecko’s climb. In those fleeting moments, people felt an unexpected connection across species, prompting a new question: life exists in so many forms—how can we learn to understand it with a mindset of science, respect, and inclusiveness?

For organizer Wang Shuhan, the exhibition was not just a display, but also an exploration born from personal passion. Preparing for the event required her to coordinate a team, manage resources, and organize publicity—transforming a “small hobby” into an experience the entire campus could share. This process was like an experiment in magnifying personal enthusiasm and turning it into something that could inspire others, leaving a unique mark on her path of growth.

Perhaps it is precisely these seemingly “small” interests and attempts that record one’s truest growth. They remind us that outside of academics, the stories that move people most often come from the things we devote our hearts to. A modest reptile exhibition, in the end, was not only an encounter with the strange and the marvelous, but also a testament to courage, exploration, and the joy of sharing.