China Reinvents Teen Science Fair: From Trophy Hunt to Talent Pipeline in Bid for Tech Self-Reliance

BEIJING, Aug 19—China wrapped up the 39th National Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest (CASTIC) in Hohhot, capital city of Inner Mongolia, on Tuesday, unveiling a sweeping overhaul designed to transform the annual event from a one-off talent fair into a cradle for the country’s long-term scientific development.

Held under the banner “Bravely Shoulder the Mission of the Era, Contributing to High-level Self-reliance and Self-improvement in Science and Technology,” the contest brought together nearly 700 participants aged 15-24, including 35 junior teams from China’s provinces and special administrative regions, 22 senior squads nominated by national scientific societies, and 18 international delegations from Asia, Africa, Europe and South America, organizers said.

For the first time, the CASTIC abandoned its traditional science-fair format in favour of task-based challenges drawn from “real problems” on the frontlines of China’s research institutes and industrial labs. Finalists tackled projects ranging from semiconductor materials to carbon-capture chemistry, presenting solutions to a jury stacked with academicians and industry executives.

The revamp is part of China’s push to nurture a deep bench of researchers ahead of its 2035 target for becoming a leading global sci-tech nation, officials said.

This competition is no longer simply about medals, He Junke, Executive Secretary of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), told the closing ceremony. It is a systematically organized training ground that will escort young talent from classroom to career.

In a break from past practice, the organizers launched a “youth growth support program,” inviting 40 high-tech firms and foundations to a matchmaking fair where the finalists received binding offers for post-contest fellowships, internships and fast-track employment.

The five-day event also featured a self-reliance-themed exhibition, keynote lectures by CAS and CAE academicians, site visits to tech incubators and story-sharing sessions with previous winners.

Inner Mongolia’s vice-chairwoman Sun Junqing said the region will use the contest as a springboard for a province-wide teacher-training initiative aimed at boosting local science education.

The 40th edition of CASTIC will be held in northwest China’s Shaanxi province in 2026, organizers announced.

Tag: Children and Youth Science Center of CAST