Representatives from the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences met with officials from the Wuchang District Association for Science and Technology on February 5, 2026. (Credit: IHB)

Representatives from the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences met with officials from the Wuchang District Association for Science and Technology on February 5 to discuss science popularization efforts and the development of science education bases.

The delegation was led by ZHU Daxian, vice chairman of the Wuchang District Association for Science and Technology. The Office of Research and Technology Development presented IHB's 2025 science outreach accomplishments and outlined plans for 2026. Representatives from the Museum of Hydrobiological Sciences, the Chishui River Station, and the Wuhan Bajii Conservation Foundation (WBCF) shared highlights and lessons learned from their respective outreach activities over the past year.

The Museum of Hydrobiological Sciences organized a well-received exhibition titled "From the Ocean to the Third Pole," featuring fossils from the Tibetan Plateau, during National Science Popularization Month in 2025. The Chishui River Station actively engaged local communities through its "Science in Schools" initiative, bringing scientific knowledge to classrooms. The WBCF continued to develop its "Finless Porpoise Love Month" campaign as a signature public engagement brand.

Vice Chairman Zhu praised IHB for its science outreach efforts, commending the institute for leveraging its platforms and resources to deliver engaging educational activities.

"As a national research institution, IHB has made meaningful contributions to serving local communities through science education," Zhu said.

She also offered valuable suggestions for strengthening IHB's future outreach work.

Looking ahead to 2026, IHB plans to build on its research strengths by translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into accessible knowledge for the public through multiple channels. The institute will continue to deepen its collaboration with the Wuchang District Association for Science and Technology, working together to develop influential science brands and advance science outreach efforts.