Hong Kong Students Recognized for Innovative Space Science Experiments at EDB Award Ceremony

EDB holds award presentation ceremony for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge

The Education Bureau (EDB) held an award presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today (September 21) to commend the outstanding student teams for their excellent performances and to recognise their efforts and achievements in designing space science experiments.

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).

EDB holds award presentation ceremony for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB holds award presentation ceremony for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB holds award presentation ceremony for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB holds award presentation ceremony for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Tsuen Wan today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 14), in which several oxy-acetylene cylinders fell from a container during a lifting operation and hit workers underneath, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to two workers. The LD is saddened by the death and injury of the workers in the accident, and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and the injured workers.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the lifting operation at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

To prevent loads being lifted from falling and hitting workers, the LD reminds employers to ensure that (i) the loads have been safely and securely connected to lifting gear before lifting operations; (ii) the gate of the container holding the loads is properly locked or fastened; and (iii) lifting zone is demarcated and barricaded, with no one entering the zone during lifting operations.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images