The 22nd Public Science Day of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the 2026 Public Science Day of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science were held on Science Island from May 16 to 17 under the theme "Embrace Science, Empower the Future." The event welcomed large numbers of visitors to Science Island, where cutting-edge science was brought closer to the public through immersive and interactive experiences.
During the event, visitors explored major national scientific facilities, including the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), known as the “artificial sun,” and the Steady High Magnetic Field Facility. They also visited exhibitions and interactive displays covering fields such as biology, space science, and popular science education. Popular science lectures and hands-on experiments gave visitors an opportunity to experience science in a vivid and engaging way.
By opening its laboratories and large scientific facilities to the public, HFIPS showcased its latest achievements in scientific innovation while encouraging greater public interest in science and technology.
Crowds of visitors tour the EAST hall, experiencing China' s “artificial sun” up close on Public Science Day. (Image by HU Hailin)
Image by HU Hailin
At the High Magnetic Field Center, a volunteer engages with visitors, explaining the wonders of the facility. (Image by QIAN Jieqi)
Children get hands-on with electrostatic experiments at the Institute of Solid State Physics. (Image by ZHAO Weiwei)
Children gaze in curiosity at the EAST experimental device. (Image by ZHAO Weiwei)
Hands-on science experiments draw children in with curiosity and excitement. (Image by ZHAO Weiwei)
Image by ZHAO Weiwei
Image by ZHAO Weiwei
Image by ZHAO Weiwei
Image by ZHAO Weiwei