The annual “Celebrate our Culture Event” at the MarketPlace at Factoria Mall on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday. Sept. 23 will feature a new element this year, thanks to four Bellevue high school students.

In addition to the standard musical and dance performances, this year’s event will feature “The Panda Exhibit,” – a project dreamt up by Jason Xu, 16, a junior at Interlake High School; Eric Yang, 15, sophomore, also at Interlake; Rain Liu, 18, senior at Bellevue High; and Wesley Yin, 16, junior at Seattle Lutheran High School.

Inspired by the lessons they learned during a trip to China last year, their mission is to raise the consciousness of the plight of the Pandas. The trip – which included stays in Chengdu, Sichuan Province and the famed Chengdu Panda Reserve – had the high schoolers witnessing, first hand, baby pandas nursing and adults being fed, and were constantly entertained by the animals.

Upon returning from their trip, the students decided to bring the panda story to the U.S. and worked with the marketing team at the mall.

The exhibit will focus on the history, living habits, research and commercial impact of pandas around the world, as well as their relevance to worldwide environmental protection. In addition to large posters and panda displays, the exhibit will feature panda souvenirs, ranging from “plushies” and slippers to hats and more.

In addition to the educational element, there will be a charity bazaar, a donation collection area, and games and prizes. Participants will have the chance to design T-shirts, paint and personalize their own panda and play games.

All events at the MarketPlace are free. However, proceeds from donations will go the Chengdu Panda Reserve, a sanctuary for 50 Red and Giant Pandas. The mall is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.. The exhibit will be available both days.

For more information, go to www.marketplaceatfactoria.com/events.