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The Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology (ZAST) recently conferred the title of "Zhejiang Academicians Popular Science Education Center" to 18 primary and secondary schools across the province in an effort to promote the spirit of science among minors.

Each of the 18 schools has established cooperation with one academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) or Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), who has been invited to give frequent lectures on popular science to students.

Most academicians were in fact alumni of the school they were matched with.

The title of academician of CAS or CAE is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Chinese scientist.

The ZAST's stipulation of the program was based on a letter it received from CAS Academician Chen Xu last October. As an alumnus of Huzhou No 2 High School, Chen wrote in the letter that the school had bred six academicians throughout its 120-year history, which could prove an invaluable asset in carrying out popular science education.

The establishment of an academician popular science education center would help turn a school into a cradle for top scientists, said Yang Xufeng, vice-president of Zhejiang Yiwu High School, during an interview.

Representatives from 18 primary and secondary schools across Zhejiang receive plaques of the "Zhejiang Academicians Popular Science Education Center". [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]