25th Primary STEM Project Exhibition showcases creative water resource management projects
Nearly 150 projects are displayed, with students demonstrating their inquiry processes and outcomes in three areas: sustainable water consumption, water and sanitation, and aquatic lives. Posing in the photo include, back row, from the far right to third from right, Dr Sarah Lee Hoi-man, Ms Agnes Man Mei-sum, both Senior Lecturer II from SES and Professor Winnie So Wing-mui, a SES professor and Director of Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development.
Scholars from SES pose with award-winning teams of PSPE. Back row: Dr Li Wai-chin, far left; Professor Winnie So Wing-mui, sixth from far left; and Dr Sarah Lee Hoi-man, seventh from left.
Over 1,000 primary students and teachers from schools in the Greater Bay Area (including local schools) participate in what is the largest annual exhibition on STEM education in Hong Kong.
The Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) and the Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), together with other co-organisers, held the 25th Primary STEM Project Exhibition (PSPE) on 11 May at the Hong Kong Central Library – the first in-person PSPE in three years. Local schools in Hong Kong and schools from other parts of the Greater Bay Area sent over 1,000 primary students and teachers to participate in what was the largest annual exhibition on STEM education in Hong Kong. The exhibition displayed close to 150 projects in total.
Leading to the final exhibition was a series of preparatory activities, starting with an introductory talk in October 2022 by Dr Li Wai-chin, Associate Professor from SES and Associate Dean (Quality Assurance and Enhancement) of FLASS and Dr Sarah Lee Hoi-man, Senior Lecturer II from SES. The introductory talk highlighted the scarcity of fresh water resources, which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth’s total water resources. “Four of the 17 United Nations’ sustainable development goals are related to this year’s theme of ‘Water and Sustainable Development’. They are Good health and well-being (Goal 3), Clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), Sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) and Life below water (Goal 14),” Dr Li said. Both Dr Li and Dr Lee were chairpersons of the exhibition’s organising committee.
Under this year’s theme of “Water and Sustainable Development”, there are three main areas of exploration: sustainable water consumption, water and sanitation, and aquatic lives. In the months following the introductory talk, participating schools submitted their project proposals to the organising committee for their consideration. Selected project teams then investigated and developed their ideas into full-blown exhibition booths. “We are delighted that all participating students have contributed their own ideas and unleashed their boundless creativity to contribute towards the improvement of water resource management,” Dr Li remarked.
The exhibition showcased innovative ideas, cross-disciplinary subject knowledge, and STEM skills from participating schools regarding water resource management. Students demonstrated their inquiry processes and outcomes within the three main areas of exploration this year. They reflected on their use of water resources in their daily lives and those of other members in the community, and explored water pollution and aquatic ecosystem conservation issues. Dr Sarah Lee said, “Through the exhibition, we hope to enhance students’ learning interest and promote interdisciplinary learning, fostering the development of STEM education.”
The exhibition showcases students’ innovative ideas on water resource management, using cross-disciplinary subject knowledge and STEM skills.
A panel of judges selects outstanding projects for various award categories.
Students from Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Division explain their project “Household Greywater Recycling System”.
A panel of judges selected outstanding projects for various award categories, including the “25th Anniversary Awards” and “Outstanding Achievement Awards”. The panel was composed of professionals and educators from various sectors, including government departments, higher education institutions, education organisations, green organisations, and EdUHK scholars. Ten schools won accolades from the 25th Year Awards. One winning project, from Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School, observed how coral fragments could grow back on fabricated coral reef plates to provide habitats for fish. Students from Chai Wan Kok Catholic Primary School designed a water-saving tap by integrating coding and a water restrictor; the SKH Tsing Yi Chu Yan Primary School team created an automated AI garbage classification tool, driven by solar energy to distinguish marine litter and living organisms; and Kau Yan School used an AI camera to classify plastic and non-plastic marine litter.
Apart from CESD and SES, other co-organisers included the Center for STEM Education of the National Institute of Education Sciences, Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence Teachers Association, Education Bureau, Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics Education, Hong Kong Education City, Hong Kong Science Museum, and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
For more details, please visit the PSPE website.
