The 14th "Charm of Nuclear Power" National Nuclear Science Summer Camp Concludes in Shanghai

On August 1, the 14th "Charm of Nuclear Power" National Nuclear Science Summer Camp concluded in Shanghai. The event was jointly hosted by the Chinese Nuclear Society and China National Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (CNNP), organized by the Nuclear Power Operation Research Institute, and co-organized by Qinshan Nuclear Power. The closing activities focused on public communication of nuclear energy, science popularization brand building, and youth nuclear science communication, presenting the achievements of nuclear science popularization and the development of the nuclear industry through thematic sharing sessions, corporate standard releases, science IP launches, and nuclear science explainer demonstrations.

At the public communication themed event held on the closing day, Zhang Jing, Director of the Division for Europe and Central Asia at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Jiang Yi, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Head of the Discipline Inspection Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's East China Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision, Gao Keli, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Nuclear Society, and a relevant official from CNNC's Shanghai Market Development Department delivered speeches respectively. Representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority, the National Energy Administration, the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Shanghai Office, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Shanghai Nuclear Power Office, as well as industry experts, science popularization workers, and all summer camp participants attended the event. A relevant official from CNNP delivered the closing address on behalf of the organizers.

Zhang Jing stated that nuclear energy, as a low-carbon and stable high-quality energy source, holds significant value in the global energy transition. Due to the highly specialized nature of nuclear energy, public communication often faces challenges such as cognitive bias and trust building, making sustained, open, and diversified science communication crucial. She noted that the "Charm of Nuclear Power" science popularization activity has long engaged young people in science practice, with broad coverage and a mature organizational model, forming a localized science popularization system worthy of reference, consistent with the IAEA's concepts of youth empowerment and science popularization for all. The IAEA will continue to deepen cooperation with China, promoting the sharing of science popularization experience, youth exchanges, and the development of nuclear science communication content.

Jiang Yi pointed out that nuclear safety is the bottom line for the steady development of the nuclear energy industry, and nuclear science popularization and the dissemination of nuclear safety culture are important extensions of nuclear safety regulatory work. "Charm of Nuclear Power" has built a platform for communication and mutual trust among the industry, regulatory authorities, and the public through summer camps, knowledge competitions, and on-site visits. He stated that the East China Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision will continue to strengthen multi-party coordination, enrich science popularization channels, promote transparency in regulatory information disclosure, and support the safe and high-quality development of regional nuclear energy.

During the event, multiple guests from science and technology museums, industry organizations, universities, and international institutions exchanged views on themes such as promoting the spirit of scientists, cultivating scientific research capabilities, learning scientific methods, nuclear safety, industrial development, science popularization for all, and nuclear talent cultivation, facilitating dialogue among government, industry, academia, research, and other stakeholders on public communication of nuclear energy.

As one of the earliest established, largest in participation, and most widely covered public welfare nuclear science popularization brands in China, the "Charm of Nuclear Power" activity has been held for fourteen consecutive sessions. To promote the standardization, normalization, and sustainable operation of the brand, the "Charm of Nuclear Power" Nuclear Science Popularization Brand Management Enterprise Standard, led by CNNP, was officially released on site. The event also launched the second volume of the new science IP work "Meng Chong Ying Xiong Tuan" (Cute Pet Heroes), which leverages Q-version nuclear power cartoon characters to explore lightweight ways of communicating nuclear knowledge to young people.

At the closing event, Qinshan Nuclear Power and CNNC North donated the "He Fu No.1" and high-temperature gas-cooled reactor fuel sphere science popularization models to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, further expanding channels for sharing nuclear science popularization resources. Several outstanding nuclear science explainers delivered on-site presentations, explaining nuclear science principles in accessible and vivid language, demonstrating the professional capabilities of the nuclear industry's science communication team.

The summer camp lasted five days and four nights, with one hundred young people from across the country participating in red-themed study tours, industrial site visits, science popularization experiences, and special lectures by academicians. The study tour route covered the Qinshan Nuclear Power Base, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University campus, memorial halls, and science exhibition venues. Continuing the feature of academician-led science popularization, the event invited Chai Zhifang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to deliver a special lecture at a university, sharing the spirit of scientific exploration with young students based on his research experience.

At the closing gala, campers shared their study experiences and expressed their youthful aspirations through artistic performances, bringing the summer camp to a conclusion. During the camp, related reports were published across multiple platforms, and the topic "Charm of Nuclear Power Enters Shanghai" made it onto Weibo's trending list, peaking at No. 12, further extending the reach of nuclear science popularization to the public.

The organizers stated that "Charm of Nuclear Power" will continue to carry out nuclear science popularization for young people, build a communication platform among industry, universities, and youth groups, guide more young people to understand the value of nuclear energy and pay attention to the development of nuclear science, and provide support for improving the scientific literacy of the public and cultivating reserve talent for the nuclear industry.