Qian Xuesen once made a list for those who imposed deep impacts on him. There were 17 persons in his list, only containing his teachers besides his parents and state leaders. In addition, among those teachers, seven persons were from his secondary school, Middle School Affiliated to Beijing National Normal University (now become “The High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University”, hereinafter referred to “HSABNU”)

From 1923 to 1929, Qian Xuesen attended classes at HSABNU, one of the top-ranked high schools at that time. That school attracted many well-known teachers, adopted advanced teaching methods, and set up a set of well-established, advanced teaching management systems, using a discipline-oriented system and credit system to foster students.

The schoolmaster Lin Liru was a very famous educationist, and also the younger schoolmate of Qian Junfu, father of Qian Xuesen. After assuming his post as schoolmaster, Lin Liru strongly advocated the philosophy of “holistic personality education”, against the cramming method of learning by rote; he imitated the educational systems of the western world to reform the traditional educational system in his days, and carried out the “two three-year systems”, namely three years of middle school time, and three years of high school time; at the same time, he started dividing the disciplines into science and liberal arts, and self-compiled teaching materials and curriculum standards.

His Chinese language teacher Dong Luan had progressive ideas, and yearned for democracy. He often talked about the current events, criticized the Northern Warlords, and looked forward to revolutionary cause. His deeds and ideas influenced Qian Xuesen a lot, making him show strong patriotism and care about the public very much.

His geometry teacher Fu Zhongsun was a well-known mathematician, had a solid foundation both in math and ancient Chinese language. His well-known saying is that, “formula, axiom, definition and theorem were all derived from science and logic, which works in/outside the class, in China, and all over the world. Even on Mars, the principle also applies!” Qian Xuesen understood through his words what the preciseness of science means.  

His natural science teacher Li Shibo adopted an innovative teaching method, and turned the ten grades of hardness of minerals into a rhyming pithy formula “smooth, creamy, square, lustrous, phosphor, long, quartz, topaz, hard, diamond”, catchy and easy to memorize. Besides, Qian Xuesen was still able to recite the formula in his later years.

His biology teacher Yu Junshi often led students to gather biological samples in the outdoors, and instructed them to dissect frogs and earthworms. His chemistry teacher Wang Heqing opened labs to students after class, for those who were interested in chemical experiments could stay in the labs whenever they wanted. The two teachers made great efforts in developing students’ operational ability, and enlightened their love for nature and their interest in the sciences. 

His art teacher Gao Xishun was highly skilled and became a master of Chinese painting. In his childhood, Qian Xuesen once took Gao Xishun as his teacher to study Chinese painting, who opened the door of art for Qian Xuesen. It was said that Qian Xuesen was also good at watercolour and ink painting, which also resulted from the careful fostering and instruction of Gao Xishun.

Under the lead of schoolmaster Lin Liru and those excellent teachers with profound knowledge and progressive thoughts, there was a very good style of learning and school spirit in HSABNU. Qian Xuesen always paid attention to his alma mater even after graduation. In November, 1981, he attended the 80^th anniversary of HSABNU and recalled with deep emotion, “My high school teacher laid a solid foundation for me in knowledge, intelligence and ability.”

 “I am emotionally attached to HSABNU, my six years’ study in this school gave me a good education, and played an important role in my whole life, my knowledge and my view of life.”

“I will never forget the six years in my lifetime.”