On October 14th, the finals of the 2024 Hubei Province Science Popularization Contest, organized by the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology and hosted by SCMU, took place at the Guanggu Concert Hall. The event drew over 500 attendees and more than 250,000 online viewers. Xia Song, Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and Liu Yi, Deputy Party Secretary and President of SCMU, Fang Debin, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of SCMU, were among the distinguished guests.
Contest in progress.Photo by Lu Cheng
At the opening ceremony, Liu Yi delivered a welcome speech. He highlighted the recent efforts of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology in promoting scientific knowledge, methods, ideas, and spirit, fostering an innovative environment for science popularization in the new era. Liu emphasized SCMU’s long-standing commitment to science education, encouraging both faculty and students to support and participate in science popularization efforts to enhance public scientific literacy. He noted that the university has continually innovated its approach to science communication, integrating it into teaching, research, and social practices with significant results. Liu expressed confidence that hosting this contest would further advance SCMU’s science popularization initiatives.
Liu Yi made an opening speech. Photo by Lu Cheng
Xia Song described the contest as a concrete step in implementing national science literacy programs and a flagship event of the province-wide Science and Technology Week. He called on universities, science centers, and schools across Hubei to use this event as a catalyst for engaging public science activities. Xia emphasized the importance of creating an atmosphere that encourages loving, speaking about, learning, and applying science. He stressed that high-quality science popularization serves the public’s aspirations for a better life, lays the groundwork for scientific and technological self-reliance, and advances Hubei’s practice of Chinese path to modernization.
Xia Song delivered a speech. Photo by Lu Cheng
The competition showcased a diverse range of scientific topics, from national strategic initiatives to technological breakthroughs. Contestants employed various presentation methods, including multimedia, props, and animations, to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. Standout presentations included “Hypersonic Spear vs. Early Warning Shield” by Zhou Luxi from the PLA Air Force Early Warning Academy, “Flags on the Moon” by Cao Genyang from Wuhan Textile University’s National Key Laboratory, and “Magic of Structural Color” by Zhang Xue from SCMU. The event was further enriched by cultural performances, including a traditional Shennongjia drum show and ethnic chamber music, blending scientific exploration with cultural celebration.
Contestant in competition. Photo by Lu Cheng
The contest attracted thousands of applicants, with 103 advancing to the semi-finals and 30 to the finals. Participants ranged from professors at national key laboratories to tech industry professionals, government officials, and university students passionate about science communication.
After fierce competition, ten contestants, including Zhang Xue from SCMU and Zhou Luxi from the PLA Air Force Early Warning Academy, were awarded first prizes and named “Hubei Top 10 Science Ambassadors for 2024”. Ten second prizes and ten third prizes were also awarded, with 25 organizations receiving outstanding organization awards. This contest not only showcased Hubei’s commitment to scientific literacy but also highlighted the diverse talents contributing to science communication in the region, from academia to industry and government sectors.
