Youth sci-tech expo adopts online approach

A total of 150 innovation projects are on show at the ongoing eighth Shanghai International Youth Science and Technology Expo 2020, which is being held in a virtual format for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The expo kicked off on Aug 1 and will end on Aug 20.

Organized by the Shanghai Education Commission and the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, the event comprises four main sections: the Online Exhibition, the Online Summit, Live Broadcast Rooms and Interactive Activities.

The virtual event features six virtual exhibition areas, 12 live broadcasts and six science and technology innovation interactive panels.

Founded in 2005, the expo is considered one of the most influential international youth science and technology exchange projects in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Wang Ping, director of the Shanghai Education Commission, the virtual exhibition hall has more than 200 exhibition booths across six exhibition areas, which range from youth project presentations to outstanding works of science and technology.

"Through this virtual event, audiences can understand the achievements, educational resources, ideas, methods, and development direction of scientific and technological innovation among teenagers all over the world," Wang says.

The Live Broadcast Rooms, which took place from Aug 2 to 11, presented 10 livestreams on video platforms Bilibili and Tencent. Together with the host of each livestream, students and guests from professional fields discussed topics related to science and technology and encouraged more children to participate in such activities.