Integrating Science and Art to Cultivate Talents

01/05/2026

The results of the 2025 Shanghai International Science and Art Exhibition Finals have recently been announced. The Overseas Voyage Home of a Trailblazer, an original musical play by Qian Xuesen Library & Museum at Shanghai JiaoTong University, stood out among numerous entries nationwide and won the Second Prize for its profound thematic connotation, diverse artistic expressions and exquisite stage presentation.

 

2025 marks the 70th anniversary of Qian Xuesen's return to China. To commemorate this important occasion, the museum’s Starry Sky Teenage Docent Group and Starry Sky Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra jointly created and staged this play. Centered on the five pivotal life choices made by Mr. Qian Xuesen, the play innovatively integrates multiple artistic forms including drama performance, singing and instrumental playing, vividly recreating key moments in his life such as his studies at the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University, his arduous five-year journey back to China, and his lifelong dedication to serving the country through science.

 

In the process of researching historical materials, polishing the script and performing on stage, teenagers involved in the play not only gained a deep understanding of the core of Qian Xuesen's spirit, but also improved their cultural literacy, aesthetic ability and sense of responsibility.