Following is a question by the Hon Ken Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (May 6):
           
Question:

     There are views that our country's development in aerospace industry has advanced at an unprecedented pace in recent years, with the achievements of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft, the Tiangong Space Station and the Chang'e lunar exploration programme garnering global attention. For the first time, the country has also selected payload experts in Hong Kong, illustrating the importance it has attached to the innovation and technology (I&T) development in Hong Kong, as well as recognising of the capability of our I&T talent. Moreover, the authorities' further promotion of aerospace science and technology education will also help cultivate students' scientific literacy and patriotism. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the overall planning for the contents of the aerospace science and technology-related curricula, thematic studies and extra-curricular activities in primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong at present; it has been reported that at the launch ceremony of a study mission on July 5, 2025, the Chief Executive indicated that the newly introduced Primary Science curriculum and the renewal of the Junior Secondary Science curriculum in Hong Kong will strengthen elements relating to aerospace and innovative technologies, of the progress and timetable in this regard;

(2) whether the authorities will further consolidate the existing teaching resources and produce more cross-disciplinary teaching materials or multi-media learning and teaching resources on the theme of the development of national space development for flexible adoption by schools, so as to assist teachers in integrating space knowledge into the classroom; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) whether the authorities will explore the possibility of co-operating with the relevant national organisations to arrange regular exchanges and interactions between Hong Kong students and national space experts or astronauts either online or in person, so as to gain a deeper understanding of our country's development and achievements in aerospace, and to foster a sense of national pride; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(4) whether the authorities will co-operate with relevant Mainland organisations or local scientific research institutes to organise more exchange tours to the Mainland with aerospace science and technology as the theme, providing students with the opportunity to visit aerospace facilities in the Mainland; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(5) as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's aerospace industry, whether the authorities will organise relevant activities and thematic exhibitions to enhance education in aerospace science and technology, and create a social atmosphere that supports innovation and technological development; if they will, of the arrangements for these activities; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     Aerospace education is an integral part of innovation and technology (I&T) learning in Hong Kong's primary and secondary education. The Education Bureau (EDB) has been incorporating learning elements of aerospace education into the curricula as appropriate, having regard to the learning abilities and needs of primary and secondary students. The EDB have also been, among others, organising professional training activities for teachers, developing learning and teaching resources, as well as arranging diversified learning activities in collaboration with relevant post-secondary institutions and organisations, so as to enhance students' interest in learning aerospace science and technology and deepen their understanding of the country's aerospace achievements.

     The reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Ken Wong is as follows:

(1) and (2) The EDB has been promoting aerospace education in primary and secondary schools through ongoing curriculum renewal for organic integration of the learning elements of aerospace science and technology education into the Primary and Secondary Science curricula. Specifically, the Primary Science curriculum implemented from this school year (2025/26) onwards has been enriched with aerospace science-related topics, including "Aerospace and Innovative Technology" and "The Nation's and the World's Aerospace Technology Development". As for the updated Junior Secondary Science curriculum, the topic "Earth and Space" has been introduced. Schools may pilot the updated curriculum starting from the 2025/26 school year prior to its implementation in 2027/28. Under the Primary and Secondary Science curricula, schools are also advised to arrange for students to participate in diversified learning activities, such as watching video clips on "Tiangong Classroom" as well as visiting the Hong Kong Base for Aerospace Science Education at the Patriotic Education Centre and the Hong Kong Space Museum, in order to enrich their learning experiences.  

     In addition, the EDB has been providing professional training for teachers with respect to the learning elements of aerospace science and technology in the curricula to help them better plan related teaching activities. For instance, experts were invited by the EDB earlier to hold aerospace education thematic seminars for curriculum leaders, covering topics such as "Gazing into the Universe and Inspiring Great Aspirations: Building the Dream of Invigorating China through Science and Education with Hong Kong Primary Students" and "Using Game-based Learning Strategies in Primary Science to Promote National Aerospace Education", with a view to strengthening and deepening aerospace science education.

     The EDB has also produced a range of educational multimedia resources relating to aerospace science, such as short educational videos on "CubeSat" and "Aerospace Scientists Delegation Visits to Schools", in which distinguished aerospace scientists explain aerospace knowledge and applications to students in an accessible manner and share their valuable experiences and inspiring stories of contributing to the country's aerospace development, in a bid to ignite students' enthusiasm for aerospace science, help them appreciate the country's remarkable aerospace achievements and cultivate a sense of patriotism. 

     In primary and secondary schools, aerospace education focuses on fostering students' interest in aerospace science and technology, as well as enhancing their understanding of the country's achievements in this aspect, thus paving the way for progression to higher-level studies. In collaboration with professional bodies and relevant government departments, the EDB will continue to develop and promote learning resources on aerospace science, whilst strengthening professional training for teachers. This will assist schools in making flexible and effective use of learning and teaching resources within and beyond the classroom, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of aerospace education.

(3), (4) and (5) The EDB continues to organise for students a wide variety of thematic activities on aerospace to deepen their understanding of the country's aerospace development and achievements. For example, the EDB organised the Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge jointly with the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2025, which provided students with an opportunity to design their own space experiments and showcase their innovative thinking. Prior to the event, "Aerospace Experts' Dialogue with Secondary Students and Laboratory Tours" and six online training sessions delivered by aerospace experts were also arranged for students, allowing them to exchange ideas with aerospace experts and visit the State Key Laboratories in person, so as to gain first-hand knowledge of frontier aerospace technologies and their practical applications. Students participated actively in the activities and the response was overwhelming.

     In addition, the EDB, together with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Chinese Society of Astronautics, are jointly organising the Luna Robot Design Competition under the space-themed programme "Building the Future: Robotics for the International Lunar Research Station" and have invited aerospace experts to deliver training seminars. With the training provided by these experts, students have put forward innovative aerospace design proposals by applying their aerospace science-related knowledge. This aims to help students develop a passion for aerospace from an early age while fostering an innovative spirit.

     To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the EDB hosted the Discovering "Science and China" through "Science and Technology Innovation Lectures" in 2025. The event featured seminars covering various I&T areas, such as a talk titled "Exploring the Universe and Technological Evolution: From the Mysteries of the Stars to Future Science", in which teachers and students were briefed on the country's development in aerospace science and technology to broaden their knowledge in this field.

     Furthermore, the EDB has been organising diversified Mainland exchange programmes and subsidising schools to organise such programmes for primary and secondary students. The itineraries cover visits relating to aerospace science and technology, such as visits to the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center and the Zhuhai Aerospace Land, with a view to stimulating students' interest in relevant areas and enhancing their understanding of the country's development and achievements in aerospace science and technology.

     The EDB will continue to optimise the visit arrangements for the Mainland exchange programmes and organise, together with relevant organisations, a diverse range of activities and competitions for students, thereby creating an atmosphere conducive to learning I&T as well as aerospace science and technology to further promote aerospace science and technology education.

Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:55

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