Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    Students from two middle schools in Bao’an District will be able to learn about space and aeronautics early next year after their schools were appointed as the aeronautical academies for Shenzhen teenagers.

    Shajing Middle School and Haiwang Middle School in west Shenzhen were selected as aeronautical academies yesterday at the old terminal of the former terminal of Shenzhen International Airport. An industry forum was held to discuss the city’s development of space and aeronautics.

    Representatives from the two schools attended the award ceremony before the forum kicked off. The schools are officially authorized to collaborate with the Shenzhen Aerospace Industry Association to develop courses for students from the two schools.

    “We plan to initiate the program at the beginning of next semester and students from Grade 7, 8, 10 and 11 can register to join in the courses,” said Ye Xiaoxin, a physics teacher and also the head of the Youth League Committee of Shajing Middle School.

    Ye said that the courses will be divided into different modules, including drone studies, aviation logistics and other fields of the industry. “We have talked with the association and might have courses once or twice a week for the students,” said Ye.

    Both academies were set up at schools in Bao’an because of the district’s proximity to the new terminal of Shenzhen International Airport. The area is developing itself into a center of aerospace industry.

    Shenzhen Metro Line 11, which connects to the airport, also began operation yesterday morning, shortening the time it takes to travel from the city center to the airport.

    Huang Min, the Party chief of Bao’an District, emphasized the significance of developing the aerospace industry in the area at yesterday’s industrial conference.

    “We will build an industrial hub around the airport for the people who work in this industry,” said Huang.

    Academics and experts in the field were also invited to attend the conference and discussed the development of the aerospace industry in Shenzhen.