CRI听力:National Science Week Getting Underway in Beijing

The 2013 National Science and Technology Week kicked off in Beijing on May 19. This week, more than 16 hundred different science events, road shows and lectures will be launched nationwide about how science and technology can better our lives.

Zhou Heyang has more.

National science and technology week is committed to promoting scientific knowledge among the public through creative, interactive and fun activities.

During this year's science and technology week, thousands of agricultural experts are traveling to the fields and reaching out to farmers to hold lectures and answer their questions. Moreover, the so-called "mobile science museums" are visiting different cities to promote scientific knowledge.

A major science fair is being held in Beijing as an integral part of this year's science week. It gives the general public a rare chance to experience what it's like to work on the space station Tiangong No. 1

"This is far more fun! Because it's actually feels like I'm in a space capsule and performing the duties of an astronaut. I want to know more about space exploration after this, for sure!"

That was a primary school student who just tried the docking capabilities of Tiangong No. 1 in a simulation model at the fair. One also gets to try out monitoring the deep sea manned submersible and new military combat technology. These life-like activities are made possible via virtual simulation technology.

"To see what distance is suitable for radar control for example, we designed the model according to real docking procedures. During this, the person in the capsule can learn a lot about aerospace knowledge."

That's Yuan Minhui, director of Beijing Institute of Space Science and Technology, commenting how on people gain scientific knowledge best through these firsthand experiences. But it is merely a jumping-off point. The interactive element of the science fair is a key attraction for youngsters and organizers hope it will spur interest in the study of science.

The fair also showcases how new environmental technology has made our daily lives a tad easier. A high-pressure injection in the bark of willow trees has limited the catkin floating in the air in experiments. This new technology will be used in a number of cities. Turning garbage waste into useful resources and other green technologies are also on display for visitors to learn more about.

Initiated in 2001, the annual national science week has been held for more than 19 consecutive years, riveting more than 700 million people who attended its events.
The Beijing science fair runs until Saturday, May 25.

For CRI, I'm Zhou Heyang.