Shanghai yesterday opened its first science exhibition museum for children -- a free place where children can experience new science and exhibit their inventions to the public.

 

The museum, called the Shanghai Youth and Junior Science and Technology Exploration Museum, is at 137 Jianguo Road W. near Shaanxi Road S.

 

The construction of the museum started in February and cost 10 million yuan (US$1.25 million), city officials said.

 

"We hope the museum will become a 'science garden' by the children and for the children," Li Yiping, director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, said yesterday in an inauguration ceremony.

 

The museum has 58 categories of exhibition. One of its highlights is a simulated control center of China's manned spacecraft.

 

"The museum is very interesting to me because I can see and experience what I expect," said Wu Yupeng, a junior middle school student, who visited the museum yesterday.

 

(Shanghai Daily December 28, 2006)