EDB holds award presentation ceremony for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge (with photos)
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Speaking at the event, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, said that in response to the national strategy of "invigorating the country through science and education", the EDB is vigorously promoting innovation and technology (I&T) education in primary and secondary schools. This academic year sees the introduction of a new science subject in primary schools alongside the previously announced updated junior secondary science curriculum, achieving a "Nine-Year Integrated" foundational science education. The curriculum incorporates aerospace and I&T elements to help students understand the nation's latest I&T advancements, enhance scientific literacy, and cultivate affection for and sense of belonging to the country.
He commended the participating students for demonstrating the integration of mathematical and technological knowledge alongside innovative thinking acquired through schools and training lessons during the challenge, resulting in highly creative space experiment proposals. He noted that the four Special Gold Award-winning proposals are currently undergoing optimisation under the professional guidance of the expert teams. These proposals have a chance to be recommended as part of the "Space Station Hong Kong Popular Science Satellite" national aerospace mission in the future, operated by payload specialists on the space station. Dr Sze expressed gratitude to school principals, teachers and parents for their dedicated guidance, as well as to different Mainland tertiary institutions and organisations for their support of the challenge. He encouraged the students to maintain their passion for science and contribute to the future technological innovation and aerospace industry of the country.
The Deputy Chief Engineer of the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS-TECSU), Dr Zhong Hongen, said that aerospace science education serves not only to disseminate knowledge, but also as a vital means of inspiring young people's passion for science and fostering a sense of national pride. He hopes that this science popularisation activity will ignite the dreams of Hong Kong's young generation to explore the universe. Dr Zhong also delivered a keynote speech on the latest developments in the Chinese Mainland's aerospace industry and the significant importance of space science research, immensely benefiting the teachers and students in attendance.
The Vice-President for Research and Development of the HKUST, Professor Tim Cheng, said that the challenge has provided an invaluable platform for young talent to showcase their innovative thinking and practical capabilities.
The challenge was jointly organised for the first time by the EDB, the CAS-TECSU and the HKUST, with the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region serving as a supporting organisation. The Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, and the Education Convergence are partner organisations. The challenge was launched in February this year and received an overwhelming response, attracting approximately 750 students from 100 secondary schools.
Following the award presentation, the guests, teachers, and students joined an exhibition at the venue, which showcased the learning outcomes and experiment proposals of the 16 Gold Award-winning teams. The exhibition facilitated peer exchange and learning among the participating students, sparking their interest in aerospace technology and promoting the development of science education in Hong Kong.
For information of the award winners and the challenge, please visit the webpage (spacepayload.hkust.edu.hk).
Ends/Sunday, September 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:35
Issued at HKT 11:35
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