Beijing district launches science education academy

Beijing's Shijingshan district launched a science education initiative called the Future Academy on March 29 at the 2026 China Science Fiction Convention.

Officials and student representatives launch the Future Academy during the 2026 China Science Fiction Convention in Beijing, March 29, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Yuanyu Science Fiction and Future Technology Research Institute]

The academy is a key initiative to bring science fiction into the district's classrooms. It also serves as a long-term strategy to cultivate future innovators, supporting Shijingshan's objective of building a "Sci-Fi City" in western Beijing.

Ma Bin, deputy district mayor, said Shijingshan has consistently focused on its "Sci-Fi City" initiative, deepening its efforts to integrate science fiction into education while accelerating the development of future industries.

"The establishment of the Future Academy and education alliance will break down barriers among universities, industries and schools, creating an immersive and diversified platform for sci-fi learning and practice," he said. "It will help to cultivate well-rounded students with scientific literacy and innovative thinking."

The district education commission also announced practical training centers, advanced courses and field trip itineraries.

The training centers are established in partnership with universities such as Peking University's School of Materials Science and Engineering and North China University of Technology. Research partners include the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with key district entities such as Shougang Park and a humanoid robot training center.

The courses, led by eight major education groups, feature programs in fields such as artificial intelligence, materials science and astrobiology. 

The district also unveiled a sci-fi field trip itinerary, connecting venues such as humanoid robot training center and SoReal Science Fiction Paradise to create an immersive experience blending technology with culture.

Writer Liu Cixin speaks with student representatives during the launch event of the Future Academy at the 2026 China Science Fiction Convention in Beijing, March 29, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Yuanyu Science Fiction and Future Technology Research Institute]

China's sci-fi luminary Liu Cixin, author of "The Three-Body Problem," will serve as a mentor at the Future Academy. He spoke with two high school students at the launch event.

The students asked Liu about humanity's resilience in the face of existential threats, creative inspiration for alien civilizations and adapting sci-fi for film and television. Liu drew on his works and creative experiences to answer each question.

"In the face of existential threats, science and technology are the core forces that enable humanity to overcome them," he stressed. "The root of imagination lies in curiosity about the world and the universe. I hope young people will always maintain this curiosity and cultivate innovative thinking through exploration."

The event also featured a teen science fiction masterclass, where young sci-fi writer A Que and robotic installation artist Sun Shiqian spoke about their work and the development of China's sci-fi art, encouraging young people to draw inspiration from everyday life. The event allowed teachers and students on site to experience the possibilities that emerge when technology and art collide.