Bridging theory and practice: capstone project presentations by BSocSc(SCS) students
A member of the Lung Yeuk Tau community art project explains about the historical and cultural heritages along the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail in Fanling to a primary school student.
A group of primary schoolers show great interest in the exhibition detailing the development of orphanage and childcare services provided by The Sisters of Precious Blood in Fanling.
Students from the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Community Studies (BSocSc(SCS)) programme who chose a capstone project as their final-year assignment participated in a two-day poster presentation on 13 and 14 February 2025. The presentation which was taken place in a public area on the Tai Po campus rather than a classroom provided the students with ample opportunities not only to answer questions from teachers about their projects, but also to engage with other members of the EdUHK community and even members of the public.
“The capstone project presentation is a unique learning opportunity as it is not held in a classroom setting but in a public space, accessible to all members of the EdUHK community, including fellow students, teachers, staff, and external visitors. Instead of delivering a rehearsed presentation, as one might in a typical classroom scenario, students need to adapt their approach to meet the diverse expectations of different groups,” said Professor Stephen Chiu Wing-kai, Chair Professor of Sociology and Programme Leader of BSocSc(SCS).
Professor Stephen Chiu Wing-kai, Programme Leader of BSocSc(SCS), discusses what they have learnt from the Sham Shui Po community capstone project with the students. The project involved SSPS students teaching secondary school students about the historical and cultural stories of Sham Shui Po and guiding them to design a board game about the community.
Over the two days, students presented in Cantonese, English and even Putonghua on numerous occasions, taking questions from various visitors. “The presentation felt more like a community event. All teachers who have taught courses within the programme were invited to attend and assess the presentations. Teachers from other SSPS programmes also attended and interacted with the students,” Professor Chiu added.
On the first morning, a group of primary school students visited the presentation. They were enthusiastic, gaining deeper understanding of different communities within the city through the presentations. “The primary school students raised questions based on their existing knowledge of the subject and the communities. Facing this authentic audience, students from the BSocSc(SCS) programme had to consider how to present their findings in a way that children could understand,” Professor Chiu said.
Dr Benedict Essuman-Quainoo discusses project design and execution with students. Teachers evaluate different aspects of the project before grading.
Twenty eight BSocSc(SCS) students who chose a capstone project as their final-year assignment formed groups to work on a half-year-long, community-based learning activity between January and July 2024. The on-campus presentation serves as the grand finale of their work. “Throughout the two-day presentation, students elaborated on their project design, execution and findings for teachers to evaluate their projects. In addition, students answered spontaneous questions from their teachers and other visitors, and gained feedback and suggestions for future improvements,” Dr Benjamin Li Yuet-man, Associate Programme Leader and supervisor of capstone projects, said.
There were five capstone projects participating in the final presentation, including four group projects and one conducted individually. One of these projects involved organising an exhibition about social services provided by the Fanling-based Sisters of Precious Blood at their Children’s Village. “Our project partner is a Catholic order that has been providing orphanage and boarding home care for disadvantaged children and adolescents in Hong Kong for over a century. It is very meaningful to share the history and charitable work of the order with the EdUHK community through today’s exhibition, ” said Poon Hei-ying, a member of the project.
Dr Izzy Jian Yi and Dr Matt Ma Kin-hang listen to a student’s presentation about the Lung Yeuk Tau community art project.
“Organising such an exhibition on campus has honed a variety of skills that we cannot acquire through essay-writing. This included selecting appropriate photos to convey our message effectively, identifying the key points we wanted to communicate, and summarising the essence of our project. In addition, we also gained experience in displaying our materials in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. We also learnt to clarify and explain our ideas when faced with questions from the audience,” Hei-ying added.
“While students learnt how effectively they could apply textbook knowledge in real-life scenarios through executing the capstone projects, the final exhibition provided them with an authentic learning opportunity. I believe the presentation will enhance their communication skills, sharpen their critical thinking, and stimulate their reflection. Through this training, their confidence will be built,” Professor Chiu concluded.
Students from the BSocSc(SCS)) programme reflect on the rewarding experience of the two-day exhibition, recalling the project’s design, execution, findings, and evaluation stages. Dr Benjamin Li Yuet-man, Associate Programme Leader, is second from left.
Summary of the capstone projects:
Poon Hei-ying, left, a member of the “Precious Blood Children's Village” project, manages a booth at the exhibition showcasing the social services provided by The Sisters of Precious Blood. Featuring interviews and artifacts, the exhibition highlights the historical development of the community surrounding Luen Wo Market.
In the TCM familiarsation project, students from the project partner Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School weigh Chinese herbs using a traditional scale according to a prescription.
In the Lung Yeuk Tau community art project, BSocSc(SCS) students guide primary school students to learn about historical and cultural heritages along the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail in Fanling. An exhibition was organised at the primary school to showcase artworks created by its students, along with game booths related to the traditions of the walled village.
Under the Sham Shui Po community project, a game-experience day was organised for a group of primary schoolers. Khloe Liu Wing-sze, a member of the project team, teaches primary students how to play board game that tests their knowledge about the Sham Shui Po.
The oral history project conducted individually by Chan Tsz-ho involves interviewing elderly residents from Sai Wan Estate in Kennedy Town. An exhibition was held at a community centre in Kennedy Town to showcase project's findings.
|
Project name |
Community and supporting partners |
Members |
|
There is a place in Fanling called “Precious Blood Children's Village” |
The Sisters of Precious Blood |
Chan Ka-fai, Cheng Kwan-wei, Rachael Cheng Nga-ting, Cheung Lap-hang, He Xiaolin, Margaret Lin Hoi-ting, Poon Hei-ying |
|
Promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine to ethnic minorities |
|
Kan Shuk-ying, Kwong Wing-sze, Li Chi-kit, Wong Tsz-yan, Yiu Shuk-wai |
|
Lung Yeuk Tau Community education and learning outcomes exhibition |
The Salvation Army Centaline Charity Fund Queen's Hill School |
Cheng Lai-ying, Hung Ka-chun, Hung Man, Lam Yiu-yu, Rock So Ho-wang, Tam Chun-ho, Tsang Kai-yuen, Sung Ka-ki |
|
Boosting students motivation and community understanding through students designing a board game |
S.K.H. St. Mary's Church Mok Hing Yiu College |
Ho Man-yin, Huang Qiwen, Lee Tsz-ying, Lin Tsz-in, Liu Wing-sze, Tsang Yee-fan, Wong Ho-ki, Ivy Yim Ka-hei |
|
Oral history project about residents from Sai Wan Estate in Kennedy Town |
|
Chan Tsz-ho |
