Promoting Public Scientific Thinking in Beijing
By Zhang Yongfeng
Beijing Science Center
I work for Beijing Science Center for three important reasons. Firstly, I have been interested in science and technology since childhood. Back then, I was a frequent goer to science museums and libraries. Secondly, I have work experience in science communication. I used to be in charge of the BSF project and engaged in the whole process from project planning to implementation for the past 10 consecutive years, having accumulated experience in science communication.
I have learned so much working in the Beijing Science Center and as a result, I think I have also strengthened my ability to communicate, coordinate, think logically, and work with teams. Given that our Center primarily serves adolescents and its purpose is to enhance their science literacy, these are the abilities that I find has served my role well.
About the Beijing Science Festival Beijing Science Festival (BSF) is a large non-profit influential annual event for science popularization hosted by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST) for the public. We always look forward to holding it. The 11th BSF was held from September 11 to 17, 2021. The event consists of five parts, including the two activities of National Science Popularization Day in site A (China Science and Technology Museum) and site B (Beijing Science Center), the Capital Joint Action for Science Popularization, Beijing International Science Communication & Exchange Week, and Beijing Cloud Science Festival. It was an amazing week for everyone!
About Beijing Science Center
Beijing Science Center, a large science and technology facility developed by BAST, serves as a non-profit science education base for the public. In its main site, you can see exhibitions on scientific spirit, exhibit-based educational activities focusing on cultivating the public’s scientific thinking, exhibition on scientific and technological innovations in Beijing, popular science reading experience, and exhibition on science and technology in Winter Olympics.We hope you find time to visit us when you are in Beijing.
In joining ASPAC...
After joining the ASPAC, I have a better understanding of the development trends, advanced concepts, best practices of other domestic and overseas science museums. This helps me imagine scenarios for the science popularization industry. Through ASPAC, I can attend academic conferences organized by the ASPAC to exchange the latest research achievements and academic dynamics. Finally, joining the ASPAC will help our museum to better cooperate, exchange information and share resources with other science museums both at home and abroad.
YongFeng introduces Nur Karnina Karim, The Head of Seria Energy Lab
​​​​​​The person I would like to introduce is Nur Karnina Karim, the Head of Seria Energy Lab (SEL), the only science centre in Brunei. It was formerly known as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC). From the Head of Exhibition and Education to the Head of the centre, Nina grew together with her centre.
Her first role at the centre was the Head of Exhibition and Education. She learned not only to hold a leadership role but to be a good science communicator. Through developing exhibitions, activities and interactive shows, she had deeper understanding of effective teaching and effective science. Learning from conferences and science communicators from other science centres/museums and institutions is one of the best learning experiences for her. She was introduced to numerous approaches to interactive teaching and how to improve the existing activities. She is now an advocate of interactive science teaching and learning and this also drives her current PhD study.
When she took over the role of Head of SEL, the centre was given the funding by Brunei Shell Petroleum to revamp the exhibition hall and to do a facelift to the centre’s external façade. She was involved in the whole process of the revamp and rebrand of SEL, including the content creation for the exhibitions, the design and concept development, the logistics and the late-night discussions and content reviews. Going through the whole revamp and rebrand process, she morphed into a project engineer and manager.
Post your events on FB: Any ASPAC member can post their events and offerings in the ASPAC FB page. That will be the best platform for all our simultaneous announcements. However, should there be an event that you need the ASPAC leadership to officially endorse and solicit participation in, please click here to email details to the current Executive Director. OH and IF YOU LOVE TO WRITE...: Whatever your role in your organization, if you love to write, please send me your article on whatever it is you think would be worthwhile to share with ASPAC. I cannot predict or limit what that will be as there are so many connections between our work and the rest of what others in the world are doing, This is especially ripe in these strangest of times. We are excited to see your insights! Please send me your piece and we will see how it fits in our ASPAC human story. We are excited to unearth the evolving pool of ASPAC writers! Thank you!
Bình luáºn