Chinese Academy of Sciences Celebrates 77th Anniversary with Interactive Science Festival in Beijing

The main event of the annual science festival organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences kicked off over the weekend in Beijing, coinciding with the academy's 77th anniversary.

The festival aims to foster a vibrant atmosphere for science engagement by bringing science closer to the public, inspiring them, particularly young people, to explore the unknown, and showcasing the academy's significant scientific and technological advancements in recent years.

The festival offered a variety of activities, including popular science plays, science magic shows, hands-on practice sessions, and exhibitions of showcasing scientific achievements.

Visitors had the opportunity to learn about major facilities such as the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor, or TMSR, which uses thorium as a nuclear fuel source; the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory, or JUNO, designed to detect elusive neutrinos; and the Tianguan satellite, also known as the Einstein Probe, which captures X-ray flashes.

They can also enjoy performances by the robot band, engage with interactive artificial intelligence and bionic-sensing exhibits such as bionic eyes and bionic taste chips, and participate in hands-on projects like simulating chip fabrication and constructing a model submarine.

In addition, CAS research institutes organized diverse activities outside Beijing, leveraging their respective strengths. In Shandong province, the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research elaborated on the long-term observation, scientific research and technological demonstration at the Yucheng station to help visitors gain a systematic understanding of saline-alkali land improvement and modern circular agriculture in the Yellow River irrigation area.

Moreover, the Institute of Applied Ecology in Shenyang, Liaoning province, introduced the formation and ecological protection of black soil, helping the public appreciate its precious value.