What kind of vision can museums offer in a rapidly changing society? On 18 May the WorldSkills Museum responded to this year’s International Museum Day theme with a dynamic “Skills Market”, inviting visitors to witness how skills offer an answer to today’s challenges.

Robots Assemble! Smart Tech Wows with Brains and Fun

The arrival of the “intelligent little performers” was a key attraction at this year’s Skills Market. With their precise movements and endearing charm, the robot dance troupe quickly drew large crowds. Remote-controlled mechanical arms and robotics challenges also saw long lines of eager visitors waiting to try their hands. One highlight was a mechanical arm that stacked blocks by coordinating three joints — all powered by infrared signals and servo motor sensors. The precision impressed many spectators, who remarked with surprise, “That’s actually pretty tough!”

Meanwhile, robot ring toss and obstacle course battles, along with the hugely popular Mech Masters and VEX Robotics challenges, allowed participants to experience the thrill of human-machine synergy. “This is so much fun! The controls are much more responsive than I expected!” exclaimed one enthusiastic young robotics fan.

Not far away, “robot artists” were helping visitors explore the world of 3D printing. With a press of the 3D printing pen and careful tracing over a page, a colourful 3D snowflake came to life in their hands.

Ancient Eastern Crafts Prove a Big Hit; Creative Green Skills Become Family Favorites

Another highlight of the Skills Market was the “Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts” section. Traditional techniques from the Ancient East, such as cloisonné enamel and handcrafted sachets, attracted enthusiastic crowds, showcasing the lasting appeal of classical craftsmanship.

Sachets filled with fragrant herbs and good wishes were especially popular, often seen in visitors’ hands. “It’s meaningful to see intangible heritage embraced by young people in such a fun and engaging way,” noted one booth organizer.

The booth with the highest parent-child participation was the bicycle-powered cotton candy stand. Parents pedaled vigorously to generate electricity, creating “zero-carbon cotton candy” for their children. One father, catching his breath after pedaling, remarked, “Generating power by pedaling is really not easy.”

Additionally, preserved flowers, succulent terrariums, and upcycled plastic bottles brought both vibrant colours and eco-friendly concepts to the event, helping participants see how these skills contribute to sustainable development.

Mortise-and-Tenon, Stargazing, and “Special” Tie-Dye — Skills with Heart and Soul

The interlocking wooden puzzle, inspired by traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon joinery, had already captivated young visitors at the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 exhibition. At the Skills Market, it continued to garner widespread attention as a signature cultural and creative product from the WorldSkills Museum. Its intricate design and interactive challenge sparked the curiosity of many teenagers. Nearby, the astronomy and coffee-brewing workshops offered visitors a romantic and leisurely experience of enjoyable skills.

The day also marked the 35th National Disability Day. At a special booth, a vibrant array of tie-dye crafts — each created by students from the Shanghai Pudong New Area Special School — was on display. The booth organizer shared, “Although the works may look simple, even a small step can take 40 minutes to an hour to complete. We hope these handmade crafts can help children with cerebral palsy or autism discover their self-worth and demonstrate their value to society.” As the event drew to a close, this heartfelt message reminded everyone of the deeper meaning behind skills — not only practical and creative but also inclusive, empowering, and full of warmth.