Getting them at a young age

Science museum aims to popularize technology among nation's youths

Zhao Yilun is skillful in using his Sony Xperia smartphone, taking and editing photos, downloading music and videos, playing games as well as using various other applications.

But the 11-year-old boy said that it's the first time he had come across and experienced so many advanced, complicated, interesting technologies supported by this small device.

He had just visited an exhibition about "secrets behind smart mobile equipment", held at Beijing's Sony ExploreScience - a museum designed to popularize science.

The exhibition is divided into three segments, involving technologies presentation, do-it-yourself software and a display of conceptual ideas for the mobile industry, which will continue until the end of June.

"I am interested in the technologies the exhibition is showing. I even designed and made a game software under the guidance of working staff here," Zhao said, adding that he is a patron of Sony ExploreScience and loves various exhibitions and events related to modern technology held here.

The science museum, set up in 2000, is sponsored by Sony Corp and aimed especially at youth education. It leverages Sony's newly developed technology to host interactive high-tech shows for children from time to time.

Sony, the Japanese multinational electronics and entertainment conglomerate, has invested more than 450 million yuan ($72.44 million) in operations at the museum, introducing high-tech exhibits and advanced science education models, training staff and supporting relevant charity events.

Zhao said the annual green-themed exhibition impressed him most. From 2003, the museum has conducted shows concerning environmental protection every year. Topics have covered green elements in daily lives, waste recycling, sewage treatment and new green trends in the world. Last year the exhibition was named Green Energy Wave and was focused on how to use - and the future of - new energy from the wind, sun, tide and biomass.

"From the exhibition I gained knowledge of new energies and their functional mechanisms. I made a small car model, which can run a short distance with the support of solar energy and won an award at my school," said the primary school student.

Given the characteristics of youth, Sony ExploreScience pays significant attention to not only showcasing the technologies in an easily understandable way but also providing interactive and do-it-yourself opportunities for children, according to Liao Yiyuan, coordinator of the exhibitions.

She added the museum is also a part of Sony's charity program in China. It's free to group students. Ticket revenues from individual visitors, 30 yuan ($4.70) each, are donated to rural education in China. By the end of March, Sony ExploreScience had received more than 1.6 million visitors.

Liao said that she was touched by many stories when running the exhibitions. Last January, 10 youths with leg problems were invited to Beijing, enjoying a technology tour at Sony ExploreScience. The youths visited, played and carried out technology tests with a group of Beijing volunteers of the same age.

"They became close friends after the tour. The Beijing young volunteers said they respected the handicapped children, who are not as healthy as them but are stronger and happier than them," said Liao, adding that similar activities will be hosted in the future.

"We aim to offer more chances for handicapped children to share equal education opportunities and happy experiences with others," she said.

The museum also developed a mobile exhibition model to bring science popularization to schools in rural and remote areas as part of its rural education support project.

Last year the mobile exhibition went to Yichang, in Hubei province, in a cooperation with the China Children and Teenagers' Fund. In addition to the exhibition, the company donated education facilities, including books, IT equipment, sports accessories, as well as blackboards, tables and chairs, to 13 schools educating about 13,000 students.

Initiated in 2003, the rural education project has helped more than 40,000 students of 160-plus schools in 32 municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions around China. Sony has invested more than 7.5 million yuan.

Zhao's mother, Feng Jianxin, said she is really happy to see her son now has a strong interest in science and high technology. "I brought him regularly to Sony ExploreScience starting six years ago. I have noticed he has turned to concentrating on the technology behind games instead of only focusing on playing," she said.

liujie@chinadaily.com.cn