The Changchun China Optical Science and Technology Museum (abbreviated as the Optical Science and Technology Museum) is the only national optical science and technology museum in China. It undertakes the functions of popularizing optical knowledge, displaying the history of optical development, exhibiting achievements in optical science and technology, and promoting cooperation and exchange in optical science and technology. The theme of the Changchun China Optical Science and Technology Museum is “The Light of Science and Technology Illuminates the Future.” Its positioning reflects public welfare and service orientation; scientific and educational value; popular and accessible nature; interest and interactivity; contemporaneity and innovation; and international openness.

     On August 29, 2007, four academicians—Wang Daheng, Ding Henggao, Zhou Bingkun, and Mu Guoguang—jointly sent a letter to Premier Wen Jiabao, proposing “Suggestions on the Establishment of the China Optical Science and Technology Museum.” Upon Premier Wen’s instruction, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved the preparation for the establishment of the museum on July 31, 2009, based on the Changchun Science and Culture Center (now renamed the Jilin Provincial Science and Culture Center). On March 1, 2011, the Jilin Provincial Commission for Institutional Organization officially approved the establishment of the China Optical Science and Technology Museum (Preparatory Office) as a vice-departmental-level public institution directly under the provincial government, and entrusted Changchun University of Science and Technology to build and manage it on behalf of the provincial government. On March 16, 2011, the General Office of the State Council issued an official document approving the formal name of the preparatory institution as the “Changchun China Optical Science and Technology Museum.” The head of the technical expert group for the preparatory work was Academician Jiang Huilin of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

       The museum was officially registered on February 10, 2012, with the Jilin Provincial Administration for Public Institutions. Construction started on April 15, 2012; exhibition installation was completed in May 2015, and the museum gradually opened for trial operation. On February 26, 2017, the museum passed the project acceptance inspection of the NDRC and was officially opened to the public.

        The museum was officially registered on February 10, 2012, with the Jilin Provincial Administration for Public Institutions. Construction started on April 15, 2012; exhibition installation was completed in May 2015, and the museum gradually opened for trial operation. On February 26, 2017, the museum passed the project acceptance inspection of the NDRC and was officially opened to the public. The Optical Science and Technology Museum is located in the Jingyue National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Changchun City, adjacent to Changchun Film Century City and the Jingyuetan National Scenic Area, overlooking Jingyue University Town to the north. It lies in the core area of leisure, tourism, culture, and education in Changchun, with a total construction area of 19,604 square meters. The museum has seven permanent exhibition halls, including Hall 1: Magical Optics, Hall 2: The History of Light, Hall 3: Optics of China, Hall 4: Explorations into Optics, Hall 5: Era of Optics, Hall 6: Applications of Optics, and Hall 7: A Vision of Optics in the Future, as well as a 4D Theater, an Optical Library, an Optical Laboratory, a Makers’ Workshop, an Innovation Studio, and a Multi-Functional Hall. The exhibition and education area covers 9,031 square meters, with a total investment of RMB 420 million.

     Since its opening, the Optical Science and Technology Museum has adhered to the principle of combining the research and development of science education resources with the organization of science education activities, integrating offline science popularization with online education. Its independently developed exhibit “Incredible Colors” won the Exhibit Award of the Science and Technology Museum Development Awards. The museum founded the OMI (Optical Musical Instruments) Band, introducing a new form of optical science popularization. It has developed special optical education programs such as laser engraving and laser inner engraving, and carried out brand activities such as “Little Optical Experts,” “Junior Docent Summer Camp,” and “Optical Art Exhibition.”

     The Optical Science and Technology Museum is a group member of the Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres (ASPAC), the Chinese Society for Natural Science Museums, the Chinese Optical Society, the Chinese Society for Optical Engineering, the Chinese Society for Measurement and Instrumentation, the Chinese Association of Science and Technology Educators for Youth, the Jilin Optical Society, the Jilin Association of Youth Science and Technology Educators, the Jilin Society of Ordnance, the Jilin Popular Science Writing Association, the University Museum Education Alliance, and the Northeast Three Provinces and Inner Mongolia Science Popularization Alliance, among other academic and professional organizations. It is designated as a Science Education Base by the Chinese Society for Measurement and Instrumentation, the Chinese Optical Society, and the Chinese Society for Optical Engineering; a National Science Education Base; a National Education Base for Party and National History for the Next Generation; a National “Grand Ideological and Political Course” Practice Teaching Base; a Jilin Provincial Science Education Base; a Jilin Provincial Patriotic Education Base; a Jilin Provincial Demonstration Base for Science Popularization; a Jilin Provincial Social Practice Base for Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Senior High School Students; a Changchun Municipal Primary and Secondary School Social Practice Education Base; a Changchun Municipal Patriotic Education Base; and a Changchun University of Science and Technology Social Practice Base. The museum has a science education and R&D team centered on chief scientific experts in the fields of electronic science and technology, optics, and infrared radiation and detection technology.

 “Inheritance and Innovation, Seeking Excellence with Courage.” Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and upholding the vision of Academician Wang Daheng, the Optical Science and Technology Museum fully implements the spirit of the Outline of the National Action Plan for Improving Public Scientific Literacy, deepens the development of optical science education resources, strengthens the exchange of optical science and culture, and accelerates the construction of a first-class, internationally renowned professional optical science museum. It strives to form replicable and promotable experience in building national professional science and technology museums, and to contribute to the development of China’s professional science museum system and the realization of the goal of building a world-leading power in science and technology.