In the afternoon of June 27, 2022, Gao Yi, an alumnus of Kuang Yaming Honors School and a researcher of Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered an online lecture titled “Science, Scientific Research and Big Science” in the Guosheng Lecture Hall of Kuang Yaming Honors School.
Gao Yi started with the question “what is science.” He talked about the origin of the word “science” and its original meaning, and introduced the process of the germination of ideas and the development of scientific thinking both in the East and in the West. Wang Shouren, a Chinese philosopher in the Ming dynasty, wanted to discover the essence of bamboo, so he sat down in a bamboo grove and observed the bamboo for seven days and nights. Gao took this story as a counter-example and pointed out that conducting scientific research requires scientific methods: first starting from the phenomena and looking for the regular patterns; then using the regular patterns to deduce the phenomena; and conducting experiments to verify the regular patterns.
Afterward, Gao Yi introduced to the students the background of some major events in the history of science and the stories behind these events, including Columbus’ discovery of the New World, Newton’s discovery of the law of universal gravitation, the story of the gene, the scientific discoveries in the early 20th century (Einstein’s photoelectric effect, Einstein’s special theory of relativity, Rutherford’s atomic model), etc. Through a series of fascinating science stories, he pointed out that great discoveries are influenced by various factors: first, we should have the courage to explore new things; then we should “bring up hypothesis boldly while proving it conscientiously and carefully,” conduct long-term exploration and have a truth-seeking spirit; in addition, we need to understand the latest scientific developments, be able to do the most advanced experiments and the literature review, etc.
On this basis, Gao Yi introduced the new concept of big science and its characteristics. He also gave many examples of large-scale scientific facilities, such as the synchrotron radiation source and the well-known “China Sky Eye” in Guizhou province, etc.
At the end of the lecture, Gao gave several pieces of practical advice on how to conduct scientific research for both undergraduates and graduate students. For example, how to choose a suitable topic; what kinds of websites can help us do literature review; and how to organize resources, etc. Gao’s lecture helped the students develop a better understanding of science and scientific research. Many of his suggestions also helped the students to recognize their direction and take less detours, which will benefit them greatly in their future scientific research.
