On November 21, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in central Johannesburg, South Africa, buzzed with activity as the “L.I.S.T.E.N Science Space,” a collaborative installation by the China Science and Technology Museum and South Africa’s Sci‑Bono, opened its doors to the public. Outside the exhibition hall, many South African families arrived early with children, peering with curiosity at the light and movement within; inside, science exhibits manufactured by Hefei’s Panshi Technology were neatly arranged, blending China’s intangible cultural heritage with technological innovation and emerging as a highlight of Sino‑African science and cultural exchange.

The L.I.S.T.E.N Science Space occupies roughly 200 square meters and is divided into four themed zones — Thinking Training, Inherited Cultural Science, VR Experience, and Marvels of Mechanism — concentrating the China Science and Technology Museum’s signature exhibition resources and public‑education expertise.

At the opening, every zone attracted crowds eager to engage. In the Thinking Training area, visitors manipulated exhibits and explored the scientific principles behind them, frequently sharing insights with one another. In the VR Experience zone, participants wearing headsets were transported into space, their expressions full of wonder. The Marvels of Mechanism section featured a biomimetic robotic dog that turned and leapt with agility, drawing exclamations from adults and children alike.

The most popular area was Inherited Cultural Science, where interactive exhibits steeped in traditional Chinese aesthetics — bronze chime bells, Suzhou embroidery, shadow puppetry, and movable‑type printing — elicited amazed reactions from South African visitors.

The successful realization of this science space was made possible by the support of a local Hefei company. According to Panshi Technology, the company acted as the project implementer, overseeing exhibit fabrication, installation, and environmental design, ensuring the project’s high‑quality delivery through professional capabilities.

In his opening remarks, Mfanelo Ntsobi, CEO of Sci‑Bono, said the new space represents a significant achievement in China‑South Africa science and cultural exchange and will certainly spark curiosity among the South African public, especially young students.

Notably, the launch coincided with the G20 summit and will serve as a model project showcasing China‑Africa friendship and the outcomes of science‑humanities collaboration to international guests.

Panshi Technology officials said the L.I.S.T.E.N Science Space will offer regular open classes going forward, so more South Africans can experience the joy of hands‑on science — continuing this warm, transcontinental exchange in science popularization.

Source: Anhui Daily