Students' scientific thinking and innovative capabilities should be cultivated throughout daily study and life, according to educators at the 2012 International Youth Science and Technology Expo.

The four-day event, which concluded on Tuesday, was held by Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

Improving science and technology education and cultivating students' innovation capabilities was the primary goal of the event.

The expo attracted more than 200 students and teachers from 14 countries and regions.

Displays at the expo dealt with themes such as climate change, sustainable development, environmental protection and public security.

Student from Shanghai Dajing High School showed emergency fire extinguishing facilities for buildings, said to be able to go into action within 10 seconds. The project has been awarded a national-level patent.

Students from Mexico showcased an earthquake alarm made from recycled materials.

"The device is very simple and environmental. It's widely used among families in my hometown," said Javier Cantu, a student from Sayula High School.

Students from LG Global School from South Korea showed a Smart Eco Car, which operates with a wireless electromagnetic power transfer system.

Similar projects were displayed during the two-day public exhibition on July 21 and 22 at Shanghai Exhibition Center, which attracted more than 10,000 students and parents.

"Allowing children to get close to nature and love the environment is a means of scientific education. In this way, they can learn how to make the world a better place," said Cao Zhiwei, a professor from the School of Life Sciences and Technology at Tongji University.

Zhou Huchen, a researcher from the School of Pharmacy at Shanghai Jiaotong University, said: " Scientific research not only needs the accumulation of knowledge but also requires the cultivation of thinking abilities."

"Though education authorities have long called for raising students' scientific knowledge and innovative capabilities, students are still dogged by piles of homework and endless tests," said a middle school teacher surnamed Chen, who brought her 11-year-old son to the expo.

Education should go beyond the restrictions of the classroom and textbooks, and give students enough space to think and learn outside the classroom, she said.

In addition to the public exhibition, a contest was also held as part of the expo, in which students were required to design an island on the sea. The island model should be able to hold a certain number of people, and be equipped with life-support facilities and a traffic network.

The contest aimed to show students' wisdom and vision in building a sustainable environment, according to its organizers.