Researcher role model inspires inquisitive girls

There was a lot the girls wanted to know. "Are scientists inherently brilliant?" "Is science a suitable path for girls?" These were the kinds of questions middle school girls asked Chen Siyu, recipient of the 19th China Young Female Scientist Award and professor at the College of Atmospheric Science, Lanzhou University, when she recently visited and delivered a lecture at No 4 Middle School in Guanghe county, Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, Gansu province. She also donated 100 popular science books that inspired her during her own youth.

Chen had insisted on traveling from Gansu's capital to speak at middle schools in the province.

"Girls in remote areas deserve equal opportunities to receive popular science education like kids in big cities do," Chen says.