These Kids Are Ready for Anything: STEAM Meets Disaster Science

Around 160 student research projects addressing various disaster scenarios such as earthquakes, heavy rainfall, flooding, fires and landslides, were showcased at the 28th Primary STEAM Project Exhibition (PSPE) on 20 May. Jointly organised by the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) and the Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), with support from other co-organisers, the annual exhibition was themed “Disaster Prevention and Preparedness” this year. It aims to inspire primary students’ creativity and strengthen their problem-solving skills through the integration and application of interdisciplinary knowledge across STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) projects. The exhibition drew over 1,000 participants from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Participants joined either the “Research Group” or the “Invention Group”. In the “Research Group”, students examined the causes and impacts of disasters through observation, experimentation and data analysis. In the “Invention Group”, students applied STEAM principles to design feasible solutions, refining their prototypes through testing and modification. Both processes strengthened students’ scientific literacy, analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. Some teams simulated disaster causes through experiments, whilst others designed prototype devices to improve disaster-prevention measures, extending classroom learning to real-world contexts.

The judging panel comprised professionals and educators from government departments, higher education institutions, education organisations and environmental bodies, who selected winners across various award categories, including the “Judges’ Grand Prizes” and “Outstanding Awards”. Four STEAM seminars on topics related to disaster prevention and preparedness were held in January to deepen participants’ understanding of the theme.

Dr Li Wai-chin, Associate Professor of SES and Co-chairperson of the Organising Committee, remarked, “Through this year’s theme, students demonstrated strong awareness of disaster risks and applied STEAM knowledge to propose innovative and feasible solutions that address real-world needs.” Dr Sarah Lee Hoi-man, Senior Lecturer of SES and Co-chairperson, added, “The Exhibition not only deepens students’ understanding of disaster prevention and preparedness, but also provides them with a valuable platform to transform ideas into practical solutions, cultivating problem-solving skills and a sense of social responsibility.”

Alongside SES and CESD from EdUHK, event co-organisers included: Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence Teachers Association; Education Bureau; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Alliance for Science Education; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Primary & Secondary Schools STEAM Education (Note); Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics Education; Hong Kong Education City; Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers; Hong Kong Science Museum TechEd Centre; The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education.

The organising committee will upload the teams’ inquiry process videos to the PSPE website after the Exhibition. For more details, please visit: https://student.edcity.hk/pri/zh-hant/pspe/home/

Award-winning teams and projects:

Note: Read related article about Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Primary and Secondary STEAM Education (GHMU-APSSE; 粵港澳高校中小學STEAM教育聯盟).