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The large-scale science programme HK SciFest 2014, organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum in collaboration with 18 science and education organisations and government departments, opened today (February 22). The event will provide a variety of interesting and informative activities across the territory until late March, allowing the public to discover the fun in science.
Speaking at today's opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung, said the Hong Kong Science Museum has been striving to promote popular science through collaboration with various science and education organisations to provide a wide range of educational activities. This year, the museum is stepping up these efforts by holding the first HK SciFest with support from relevant government departments and non-governmental organisations.
Mrs Fung noted that the public will be able to learn about local sewage treatment works, geological history, wetlands and migratory birds in Hong Kong through the distinctive activities provided by these organisations throughout February and March. The activities will also enable science education to be extended to different locations in Hong Kong.
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Expert Advisor to the Hong Kong Science Museum, Professor Joseph Sung, and representatives of the programme partners.
Rich in content, the activities in HK SciFest 2014 include science competitions, interactive lectures, demonstrations and drama events, workshops, laboratory programmes, field visits and film shows, covering topics ranging from life sciences, physics and engineering to astronomy and environmental conservation. Among these activities, Science Alive 2014 will be held from March 8 to 21 at the Hong Kong Science Museum with the theme of "The Code of Life". Distinguished academics from the United Kingdom have been invited to present lectures and workshops, allowing the participants to learn about science in an interactive way within a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. In addition, Family Days will be held on March 8 and 9 and March 15 and 16 at the lower piazza of the Hong Kong Science Museum with shows and booth activities that will help families to explore and have fun with science.
The programme partners of HK SciFest 2014 are the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the British Council; the Civil Engineering and Development Department; the Croucher Foundation; the Drainage Services Department; the Education Bureau; the Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics Education; the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools; Hong Kong Education City Limited; the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers; the Hong Kong Observatory; the Hong Kong Society for Sudoku Advancement; the Hong Kong Space Museum; the Solar TowerˇECamp, HKSKH Blessed Service Management Limited; the Tai Po Geoheritage Centre, the Environmental Association; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers; the Sik Sik Yuen Biotechnology Mobile Laboratory Program; the Society of Hong Kong Scholars; and the Tin Ka Ping Foundation.
For details of HK SciFest 2014 and the application methods for activities, please visit the Hong Kong Science Museum's website: www.hk.science.museum/scifestweb/eindex.html.
Ends/Saturday, February 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 13:57
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