2016年12月9日星期五

HK Gifted Education Summit & Exhibition: STEM Policies and Practices

2015 Policy Address stated the idea of enriching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in primary and secondary schools.  So that the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) had especially organized two-day “Hong Kong Gifted Education Summit and Exhibition – STEM Policies and Practices” from 9 to 10 Dec 2016.  HKSTP was one of co-organizers for this summit and I attended the first day seminar on 9 Dec 2016.  In Opening Ceremony, all guests nourished the STEM plant and took a group photo.


Mr NG Hak Kim, Eddie - SBS, JP (Secretary for Education) gave a welcome speech. He said value education is important and and gifted education had three key points: i) Student Centered was the first place; ii) it aimed for whole person development and iii) School base teaching.  He added Gifted Education was important in Quality Education.  In addition, he said every student had equal opportunity.  STEM student to be recognized their potential was important and difficult.  Finally, Mr. Ng employed Mr Chan Yik-hei (Boy of star) as successful example.


The first keynote speaker was Prof Hong DING (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) and his presentation topic entitled “Science Education Engagement (SEE) in China”. Firstly, Prof. Ding mentioned the vision of SEE in China that creating SEE activities within two NGO platforms and they were Future Forum and Dali Center for Sciences and Arts.


Future Forum combined scientists and entrepreneurs. They established Future Science Prize and would like to made “Science is Cool” to attract young people.  The First Science Prize winners were Prof. Yuk Ming Dennis LO and Prof. QiKun Xue.  The forum vision included leverage “Future Forum” brand through the chain from “scientific talks” to “educational lectures”, invited best scientists to give lecture and state-of-the-art filming of lectures.  


Dali Center for Sciences and Arts (DCSA) used Aspen Center for physics as model (China’s Aspen) to remain the best place on earth to have a chance to actually think deeply and without interruption.  


During the tea break, I took a photo with Prof. Robert Li (my teacher for polymer science in CityU).


Then I visited CityU counter in the exhibition.  


I also met Prof. Michael Lam and took a group photo for memory.


The second keynote speaker was Dr Alan I. LESHNER (CEO Emeritus, American Association for the Advancement of Science) and his topic named “An American View of High Quality STEM Education”.  He said people needed fundamental understanding and comfort with Science and Technology (S&T).  For nations, they needed high quality scientific capacity and technology-competent workforce.  


The following diagram predicted STEM occupations in 2020 in USA.  The sequence was “Computer Occupations”, “Life Sciences”, “Math/Physical Science”, “Engineering” and “All other occupations”.  Dr. Alan Leshner mentioned two focus areas and they were building a future top quality S&T workforce and equipping all students to live and work in the modern world.


After that Dr. Alan Leshner introduced a Framework for K-12 Science Education.  He said all people needed to know about science as an enterprise, core scientific concepts (e.g. big bang, gravity, evolution & genetics, etc.) and characteristics of technology.  Finally, he briefed the “Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5-year Strategic Plan” which published in May 2013.  


The third keynote speaker was Dr Michiharu NAKAMURA (Advisor for Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology) and his presentation entitled “STEM and Gifted Education towards a Future Sustainable Society”.  Dr. Kakamura firstly mentioned 17 sustainable development goals from UN.  


Then Dr. Nakamura said about the 4th industrial revolution that the Cyber-Physical-System (CPS) transformed people, community, industry, academia and government in the 21st century.  The transforming modern society system was shown as following diagram.


Dr. Nakamura also mentioned some requirements for future talents in the society 5.0 included leverage fundamental technologies (e.g. big data and AI), new business & service models, and managed high impact science and technology projects, etc.


After that Dr. Nakamura briefed the trends of Japan’s industry and working age population, as well as, the students graduated in Master / PhD, etc.  Because STEM education issued by Japan government in the past, total 15 Nobel Prize Winners from Japan in the 21st Century (2001-2016).  Finally, he introduced Japan Science and Technology Agency’s programs for STEM and Gifted Education.  


In afternoon session, the first speaker was Prof. Jean Soo CHUNG (Professor of the Physics Department, Chungbuk National University, Korea) and he presented the topic named “Common & Gifted STEM Education for K-12 in Korea”.  Prof. Chung said Math & Science Education should be reformed, integrating STEM Education with Arts (STEAM) and supporting Education for the gifted.  


Then he introduced Korea’s New 10th Grad Science. The Part I named Universe and Life which was from the origin of the universe to the evolution of life. The syllabus showed below.


The Part II named Science and Civilization which was from information & health technology to environment issues, as well as, appreciation to the contribution of science to our civilization.   The first science high school established since 1983.  The gifted education promotion law launched in 2000.  


Dr Rachel ZORMAN (Executive Director, The Henrietta Szold Institute, in Jerusalem, Israel) was the second speaker and her topic entitled “Successful Initiatives for STEM Education for Gifted Students in Israel”.  Dr. Zorman said Israel is the Start-up Nation.  In 2013 (IMD competitiveness yearbook), they were the first place in innovative capacity, the second place in entrepreneurship and the third place in global innovation.  Israel had more than 4000 startups and 300 R&D centers of international companies.


Then Dr. Zorman told us their national mission is to nurture our most precious resource – the students who can realize their extraordinary potential and contribute to our society in all STEM areas.  She also briefed their national programs for gifted and outstanding students promoting STEM leadership as follows:
1.      Regional Responsibility Program
2.      Academia in High School
3.      National Mentoring Program
The following diagram showed the one of STEM projects named Biology and Criminal Investigation Exhibition.  


The mentoring program could enable highly gifted 10th and 11th grad students to do research in their own interest area!  They met mentors at least twice a month to conduct independent research.  Half received significant recognition by the professional community.  


Prof. Maw-Kuen WU (Distinguished Research Fellow, The Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica in Taiwan) was the third speaker and his presentation was “First Adventure in Science - A special programme for talented youths in physical sciences”.  Prof. Wu discussed how to motivate students to appreciate science in Taiwan through formal (K-12 program) and informal science education.  


Prof. Wu introduced their program in which also assisted with a “mentor” system.  Their course duration was second semester (grade 10) – first semester (grade 12) and each class enrolled about 30 students.  The typical class schedule was showed below.


The last speaker was Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences, CUHK) and his presentation named “Promoting STEM Education in Hong Kong Schools”.  Prof. Lam said the expectation from STEM education students should be included Cognitive Ability, Knowledge and Value.  


Then Prof. Lam mentioned the goals of STEM Education in Hong Kong as follows:
1.      Scientific literacy-for-all (learned consumer of science)
2.      Equipping science students with essential skills (as a foundation of technology-based industries)
3.      Cultivation of science talents (future science leaders, inventors)

After that Prof. Lam discussed the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) of STEM Education in Hong Kong.  One of key weaknesses was Parents’ perception about few job opportunities in science and technology in Hong Kong


Prof. Lam introduced STEM elements in HK Education curricula and using Mathematics as an example.  At the end, he stated six strategies to promote STEM Education from Education Bureau, HKSAR Government.
1.      School curricula update
2.      Quality learning experiences of students
3.      Resource materials and additional support to schools
4.      Communities of STEM education
5.      Synchronizing the contributions
6.      Conducting review


In the Panel discussion, Prof. NG Tai Kai (Executive Director, The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education) was the facilitator.


During the discussion, Prof. Lam said Parents’ perception were very important eventhough our program in primary and secondary school had many STEM elements.  He also said CMO of Science Park told him that there would be many S&T jobs here.  Prof. Lam concluded that science and mathematics should be learnt by all people so we could make a logic decision in our life.


Group photo of all guest speakers was taken.


After the event, I took a photo with Prof. LAM Hon Ming and we were classmates of Chinese Massage Manipulation. (HKACM Classmates Visit to CUHK Herb Garden)


Reference:
HKAGE – Summit 2016 - http://hkage.org.hk/events/stem2016/en/index.php


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