The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2023
The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition (HKSSPC) 2023 is jointly organised by the Education Bureau, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Hong Kong Science Museum and supported by The Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, the Hong Kong Design Institute and IVE (Lee Wai Lee). This year, a total of 195 local secondary school teams participated, competing for different science and technology awards. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Competition, which has seen more than 16,000 talented students join since 1998, laying a strong foundation of innovation and technology education in Hong Kong. Under the theme “Inspiration from Living ‧ Innovation from Science”, the Competition encouraged students to explore science and technology, and to think of creative ways through which society can develop.
The Final Judging and Awards Presentation Ceremony successfully concluded yesterday at the HKDI and IVE (Lee Wai Lee), with near 600 guests, teachers and students in attendance and with the public’s participation through live streaming witnessing the student’s inventions and investigation.
Prof TSUI Lap-chee, Founding President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences and Prof Philip FU Chi-wing, Associate Dean of Engineering from The Chinese University of Hong Kong were invited to serve as Head Judges, together with over 80 experts who served as advisors and judges. The 20 finalists were highly commended by the judges, who were impressed by the exceptional performances of all the participants, particularly their high level of innovation and invention.
Four Champions were crowned this year. For the Junior Division, the team from Chinese Foundation Secondary School won with “Upcycling of Abandoned Beehives!!” Replace of plastic by beeswax, soybean dregs and to rosin as the raw materials for 3D printers or printing pens, in the Invention category, while the team form “Heep Yunn School” took home the prize in the Investigation category with their work “SeaUVeed Succeed” Investigate the feasibility of using algae to resist thermal ultraviolet rays and free radicals.
In the Senior Division, the team from LKWFSL Lau Wong Fat Secondary School was the Champion in the Invention subcategory with their work, “A Transparent and Biodegradable Mask Filter” Invent an effective biodegradable and comfortable filter suitable for construction workers, while the Investigation Champion came from King’s College through their study on AgNPs and Natural dye-sensitized TiO2 NPs-catalyzed photo-oxidation in food waste treatment and its potential application in H2 production enhanced by Venturi effect.
Mr Jeff SZE Chun Fai, JP, the Acting Secretary for Education, officiated at the Award Presentation Ceremony and said that in order to support Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre, aligning with National 14th Five-Year Plan to act in concert with the implementation of national rejuvenating through science and education, the Education Bureau has vigorously promoted STEAM education in primary and secondary schools in recent years to strengthen students’ interest as well as ability in science and innovation; and developed creative thinking and innovative spirit as so to nurture future scientific research and innovation talents. Over the years, HKSSPC has provided an effective learning platform outside the classroom, allowing students who are interested in STEAM to propose innovative methods to solve daily life situations through “hands-on and minds-on” scientific inquiry, research and development of scientific and technological products and other learning activities problems, so as to better understand how the evolution of innovation and technology can improve people’s lives and promote the sustainable development of society.
Mr Andy HO Wing-cheong, Executive Director, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups congratulated all the awardees, said: “I am so impressed by all the entries this year. Not only have you shown great creativity, but you have considered adaptability as well. I am glad to see that each team has demonstrated a high level of innovative technology, which reveals the importance of STEAM education. I hope all the awardees can continue to be engaged in the use of innovative technology and contribute to society. Looking forward, we hope more elites with innovative potential will be recongised through the Competition.”
In addition to providing a platform for students to exchange and practice their scientific knowledge, the Competition also focuses on education and support, including a series of training workshops, advisors’ sharing sessions and technical visit. The winning teams will also be funded to join oversea scientific competitions and exchange tours, so that they may broaden their international vision and cultivate more innovative abilities.
Awardees will exhibit their winning projects and inventions at the Hong Kong Science Museum on 6 May. The public are welcome to join and appreciate the scientific research and inventions of local students. There is also an online public voting campaign from now until 7 May, and the public can vote for their favourite projects. The teams with the most votes will receive the “Visitors’ Favourite Award“. For more details about the competition, voting details and students’ projects, please visit https://hksspc.hkfyg.org.hk.
“Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2023” List of Awards