Red carpet treatment at science festival

This year's Shanghai Science Festival will be held from May 19 to 26 with more than 1,000 events across the city.

Shanghai Science and Technology Commission said more than a dozen renowned scientists and professionals from home and broad will walk the red carpet at the opening ceremony. They include Wang Jianyu, system commander of the world's first quantum communication satellite Micius, astrophysicist Garik Israelyan, and Rawin Raviwongse, director of the National Science Museum of Thailand.

"This year is the fourth year that we have held a red carpet for scientists, “said Gan Pin, the commission's deputy director. "It's good for teenagers to dream of being a movie star or sports star. But the scientists who contribute to society behind the stage are also very important."

Gan said a survey by the commission had found that the job people most admired was scientist. The commission hopes that with the red carpet show and by hearing the stories of such "science stars," public interest in science and the work of scientists would grow.

During the festival, more than 300 scientific education bases will open to the public for free or at a discount. Popular sites such as Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium and Shanghai Oriental Land are on the list.

More than 100 laboratories at local universities and scientific research institutes and Fortune Global 500 companies will welcome visitors.

Some science education venues will open at night with various activities for "The Night of Science," one of the festival's family events. In addition to a display of hi-tech products and interactive activities, residents can view scientific experiments and enjoy talk shows and other performances.

Forums, international salons and competitions will be held. Personnel from science festival organizations in countries including Germany, Slovenia, Ireland, Italy, Estonia, Thailand, Australia and Norway have been invited to take part.

Scientists will give speeches unveiling the results of their work and the public will be able to view the latest scientific products developed by local companies and universities.