BEIJING: China’s highest academic institution for natural sciences opened its doors to science lovers over the weekend to share the latest scientific and technological achievements, with the goal of popularizing science and allowing the public to engage with noted scientists and key research facilities.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences launched its 19th Public Science Day event on Saturday, opening 100 research institutions to the public as well as nearly 100 observatories, botanical gardens, museums, field stations and key laboratories.
Public enthusiasm was feverish since this was the first time in three years that the academy had been able to fully resume live activities on Public Science Day.
Parents and children began queuing outside the front doors of the academy’s Institute of Physics early in the morning. The Institute of Automation extended opening hours several times to accommodate visitors, and tickets to tour the China Spallation Neutron Source, a major piece of scientific infrastructure that probes the internal structure of materials, sold out in hours.
“I am thrilled to be here. I like physics, and seeing real physicists in person is fun. I hope everyone will have as much fun as me,” said Zhang Zipei, a 6-year-old volunteer at the Institute of Physics who was tasked with handing out event brochures and stamping souvenir seals on pamphlets.
Many young attendees said they very much wanted to visit the Institute of Physics because of its dual existence as a prestigious academic institution and quirky social media science communication sensation.
For example, in 2018 the institute painted its manholes with physics equations and cartoons to celebrate its 90th anniversary, and went viral on Chinese social media. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
