Shi Yigong gives an inspiration speech to students at the ceremony. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education hosted the launch ceremony for a lecture series called "One Hundred Scientists Enter into Classrooms of Primary and Secondary Schools" in the provincial capital of Hangzhou on Feb 24.

Shi Yigong, a renowned scholar and the president of Westlake University, was invited to give an inspirational speech on the struggles of China's earliest modern scientists to students at the ceremony. He spoke about why reform-minded officials of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) sent boys to study in the United States on the Chinese Education Mission 150 years ago and how Chinese children consistently pursued knowledge during the tumultuous times in the early 20th century.

Shi also answered questions raised by students during the event.

According to an official from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, this special lecture series featuring distinguished scientists will be broadcast live to classrooms at thousands of primary and secondary schools across the province. The aim of this initiative is to promote the scientific spirit and popular science education to millions of Zhejiang adolescents.