British professor makes chemistry fun for young students in China

A British professor has become a live-streaming celebrity in China with videos geared to introduce chemistry to youngsters through fun experiments.

David G. Evans, 60, a professor at Beijing University of Chemical Technology with more than two million followers on popular video platform Kuaishou, is kindling kids’ interest in chemistry by engaging them with interesting experiments.

Evans’ channel, David’s Laboratory (Daiweishiyanshi), features eye-catching experiments that result in everything from cool explosions or goopy green foam.

“My friend’s assistant suggested that I livestream my experiments,” Evans explained. “I keep them short – around one minute each,” he added.

Earning his doctorate from Oxford University, Evans has lived in China for 22 years and speaks Chinese fluently. “Before that, I came to China every year from 1987 to 1996, and witnessed China’s development,” Evans said.

Evans said part of his mission is to bring Chinese students access to a laboratory that they don’t usually receive in school.

“[Teachers] often stress theory, because there are just too many kids in a class,” he said.

The Paper