The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, today (May 17) visited a primary school and Wong Tai Sin Temple to get a better grasp of technological application in the community and the promotion of popular science education. A meeting with members of the Wong Tai Sin District Council (WTSDC) was also held.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the WTSDC, Mr Li Tak-hong, and the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Ms Annie Kong, Mr Yang started his visit at Baptist Rainbow Primary School to learn more about the "happy learning" and "flipped classroom" teaching concepts through watching students' participation in self-directed project-based learning. The school integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in its school-based curriculum and implements the DreamStarter programme. Academic curricula are scheduled for the morning session and self-directed learning activities are held after lunch. Such an approach is conducive to enhancing students' creativity, communication and problem-solving skills.
Mr Yang then went to Wong Tai Sin Temple, where he visited the Taisui Yuenchen Hall and received a briefing on e-services that assist worshippers through application of technology. These include green worshipping at the Taisui Yuenchen Hall with the use of sensors, online prayer, online enquiry on fortune-telling sticks and one's "tai sui" of birth as well as Chinese zodiac sign. With Sik Sik Yuen's mobile application, visitors can enjoy GPS navigation and information on architectural features of the temple by scanning QR codes or NFC chips. A counting machine was also developed by Sik Sik Yuen to ensure that there are 100 fortune-telling sticks in every stick holder.
Sik Sik Yuen is dedicated to promoting science among the general public. It funded the Sik Sik Yuen Biotechnology Mobile Laboratory (MobileLab), which was built on a bus chassis. The MobileLab travels to primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong on weekdays. Students learn about microbiology, biochemistry, DNA and genetics through hands-on experiments. Outreach activities are held on the MobileLab during weekends and school holidays to reach out to the public. As a partner of the annual large-scale popular science event InnoCarnival, the MobileLab held over 30 biotechnology workshops at the InnoCarnival held last year. Mr Yang toured the MobileLab and thanked Sik Sik Yuen for joining hands with the Government in promoting science in the community. He noted that the application of technology and the promotion of popular science are equally important. The Government is committed to collaborating with various stakeholders to cultivate an ecosystem favourable for innovation and technology development.
Before concluding the district visit, Mr Yang met with members of the WTSDC to exchange views on issues related to innovation and technology, as well as district facilities and services.
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