XIEG Holds 20th Public Science Day

The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) successfully held the 20th Public Science Day from May 17 to 19. The opening ceremony of the activity was organized in the institute. Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden, Cele Station, Yili Botanical Garden and Fukang Station also launched diverse science popularization activities respectively, receiving extensive attention from primary and secondary school students, the public and the news media.

Opening speech

More than 300 teachers and students in Urumqi, as well as some parents participated in the opening ceremony on May 17. Principals of primary and secondary schools gave speeches respectively, speaking highly of the activity.

"XIEG attaches great importance to science popularization activities and science education”, said ZHANG Daoyuan, Deputy Director of XIEG, in her speech. In recent years, the institute has built cooperative relationships with schools nearby. “More schools will participate in the science popularization activities in the future,” she said.

Unmanned aerial vehicle

Pollutant adsorption experiment

Ten research groups of the institute conducted demo experiments and gave lectures on soils, stones, plants, animals, equipment and others.

Lu Shiyang, postgraduate at XIEG, demonstrated the adsorption experiment of activated carbon, which drew the attention of secondary school students. “Today’s experiment was very interesting. I expect to do experiments in chemistry class in school,” one student said.

Measuring wind speed

Observing minerals

In Yili Botanical Garden, over 100 students participated in the garden tour. Following the tour guide, they learned a lot about various flower plants. They also made flower glue and crafts, gaining a deeper understanding and experience during the event.

Recognizing flowers

Making UV glue with flowers

At Cele Station, nearly 100 teachers and students from a local secondary school, took part in the science popularization activites on May 18. Students actively participated in experiments on seed cultivation, plant morphology, soil moisture, and measurement of plant growth.

Observing seed cultivation

In Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden, more than 50 teachers and students from a local primary school, explored desert plants, and learned their survival wisdom.

Observing desert plants

At Fukang Station, nearly 100 teachers and students from a local school participated in activities focused on soil and land on May 19. They visited fields and did experiments with their own hands, got an understanding of the importance of soil quality and health, and raised awareness for cultivated land protection.

Doing experiments at Fukang station

More than 40 researchers and postgraduates from XIEG, designed and prepared activities for the 20th Public Science Day. Many news media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, Xinjiang Daily, have covered the activities.

Group photo of the opening ceremony