Feeling perplexed by the situation, she heard the team leader, a cultural heritage protector surnamed Yao, saying "follow me" as he quickly advanced. Then he used a sickle he had borrowed from villagers and cut down the obstructing weeds and branches to blaze a path for Li to continue her mapping.

"I was impressed by his quick judgment and resolute action, which must come from his rich experience in protecting cultural heritage," says Li.

Like Li, her 19-year-old classmate Cao Yuqi took part in the census in his native Zuoquan county, Shanxi. He says the experience extends beyond just combining the knowledge of cultural heritage preservation, applied mathematics, data analysis, and even photography. It helps him gain a deeper understanding of the textbooks.

"In school, I was taught that since the Song Dynasty, Yingzao Fashi, a guide on architecture and craftsmanship, governed ancient construction practices. However, during the census, I found that when ancient craftspeople undertook building projects, they frequently strayed from these regulations. Instead, they opted to procure materials locally and utilized their distinct techniques and approaches," Cao says.

"It has helped me understand that real-world scenarios often involve creative adaptations and variations from the standardized norms."