When Science Meets Philanthropy: Strategic Partnership Between SSTM and the Tencent Foundation Yields Results

On July 5, 2025, a unique event titled “Wonderful Astronomy Night” was grandly held at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum (SAM, a branch of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, SSTM), marking a new phase in the strategic partnership between SSTM and the Tencent Foundation. Ni Minjing, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Director of SSTM, and Xiao Liming, Vice President of Tencent’s Sustainable Social Value Division and Secretary-General-designate of the Tencent Foundation, delivered remarks at the event. Other attendees included Li Yueqi, Vice President of Tencent’s Sustainable Social Value Division and Secretary-General of the New Cornerstone Science Foundation; Li Kan, General Manager of Tencent East China Headquarters; Liu Jian, Deputy Director of SSTM; and 20 recipients of the Xplorer Prize.

At the “Fantasy Star Stage” launch event, two innovative science education products were unveiled and became the highlight of the evening. In addition to the science board game Yummiverse, SAM also officially released its newly developed educational toolkit Stellar Discovery Box, a one-stop astronomy starter kit designed with the principles of “easy to understand, fun to use, and memorable.”

Beyond the launch, multiple zones inside and outside SAM hosted a variety of engaging activities. The science fair featured board game demonstrations and interactions, immersive XR experiences of Crossing the Galaxy, and themed pop-up shops such as the Nebula Kiosk, among others. The Dome Theater presented a breathtaking starry sky concert, while the sunken plaza’s Itinerant Planetarium opened to the public. Four special nighttime sessions were also added in the planetarium and the What If Theater. This all-encompassing science engagement format enabled participants to experience the wonder of astronomy from multiple perspectives and in diverse ways.

The strategic collaboration between SSTM and the Tencent Foundation represents an innovative model for deep integration between scientific institutions and philanthropic organizations. It transforms rigorous scientific knowledge into engaging educational products, offering a replicable example for advancing science education for youth nationwide.