Physics teacher helps ease students' burdens

Physics teacher Qiao Fucun was often puzzled by the apparent lack of filial piety he witnessed after school let out each day, as most parents would carry home their children's heavy backpacks, leaving the youngsters' hands free to fidget with electronic devices.

Qiao, 26, who teaches at Dinghui Experimental Primary School in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, wondered why parents didn't let their children carry their own books. Nearly every parent answered the same way - the bags are too heavy.

Qiao then began to research the topic and conducted experiments on the weight of backpacks and the effect they have on students' bodies.