Researcher role model inspires inquisitive girls

With three main projects — bringing scientists in, taking students out and sharing knowledge with everyone — the program focuses on ensuring balanced and inclusive popular science education. Its goal is to benefit 100,000 middle school girls in different cities and remote areas nationwide within one year.

Ruan Xiangrong, chairman of Sina Yangfan Charity Foundation, says: "We want to attract more attention to popularize science education, break the stereotypes surrounding girls learning science and working in science, and help more girls to become new bright stars on the stage of science."

Professor Chen Saijuan, of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, acts as a lifelong honorary mentor of the program, leading a tutoring team that includes various China Young Female Scientist Award winners.

The first pilot event of the "going out" project was held at the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on April 4, during which time 25 girls from 13 middle schools in Beijing visited the institute.

They explored the beauty of different plants while learning about the institute's century-long history and scientific achievements.

They also toured the smart national botanical garden at the Plant Science Data Center, delving into the Institute of Botany's advancements in plant diversity protection and research, powered by big data.

Meanwhile, Shu Qingyan, a researcher at the institute and head of the paeoniaceae diversity and germ plasm innovation research team, also talked with the girls about such issues as how to innovate and find role models.

Feng Xiaojuan, recipient of the 19th China Young Female Scientist Award and a researcher at the Institute of Botany, encouraged them to have courage, embrace the spotlight and stand at the forefront of scientific endeavors.

Liu Ziqi, a junior at Beijing No 166 High School, took part in the tour. She had previously participated in research on fungi and plants at school.

This event inspired the 18-year-old, who already has a clear understanding of scientific research.

"The spirit of science is about continuous exploration. Along the way, we will face many difficulties, and some challenges may take a long time to overcome," she says.