Jockey Club supports Hong Kong’s first large-scale inquiry-based learning project to foster science literacy among primary school students

To cultivate students’ interest and literacy in science from a young age, and in alignment with the new primary school science curriculum, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has approved over HK$265 million through its Charities Trust to initiate Hong Kong’s first large-scale inquiry-based learning (IBL) project — JC CoolScience. The project brings together local and international expertise, combining in-classroom and beyond classroom science learning and structured teacher training to provide comprehensive support for primary school teachers and students.

Group photos of guests with students participating in the JC CoolScience Project.

A launch ceremony for the project took place today (16 October). Officiating guests included May Chan, Permanent Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Ann Kung, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and other guests.

May Chan, Permanent Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Ann Kung, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right); Professor John Lee, President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong (3rd right); Patrick Lai, Acting Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the HKSAR Government (3rd left); Nisa Leung, Convenor of JC CoolScience Advisory Committee (2nd right)；Professor Zheng Yonghe, Dean of the Research Institute of Science Education of Beijing Normal University (1st right); Reverend Joseph Yim, Chief Executive of Caritas Hong Kong (2nd left) and Yiu Ka-tung, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Education Committee, Sik Sik Yuen (1st left) officiate at the JC CoolScience project launch ceremony.

Club Steward Ann Kung said the Club is a staunch supporter of education development. From inspiring kindergarten students’ curiosity about science, technology, engineering and mathematics to promoting computational thinking education in primary schools, and incorporating artificial intelligence into the secondary school curriculum, teaching materials of the Club’s related pilot projects’ have been adopted in schools’ curricula by the Education Bureau. These initiatives enable students to develop digital skills to meet future challenges. The JC CoolScience project builds on these foundations, aiming to foster students’ science literacy and cultivate a spirit of scientific inquiry among the next generation.

Club Steward Ann Kung delivers a speech at the JC CoolScience project launch ceremony.

To run for 4.5 years, JC CoolScience supports the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, while aligning with the new primary school science curriculum introduced this academic year. The project aims to enhance teachers’ capacity to deliver IBL pedagogy in science and spark students’ curiosity through hands-on scientific exploration both inside and outside the classroom.

Group photos of guests with students participating in the JC CoolScience Project.

With The Education University of Hong Kong as its strategic partner, and in collaboration with renowned institutions such as Beijing Normal University and the Smithsonian Science Education Center, the project has developed evidence-based teaching materials tailored to the local curriculum. Primary school students engage in IBL modules that enrich core curriculum lessons of Hong Kong’s new Primary Science Curriculum Framework. Each 300-minute module includes learning resources and experiment kits that guide students from observation and inquiry to exploration and discovery, cultivating scientific thinking and investigative skills.

Dan Plane, Head of the Science Demonstration Department of The Royal Institution of Great Britain, demonstrates interactive science at the launch ceremony, inspiring enthusiastic participation from students while showcasing the fun of inquiry-based learning.

The project also connects classroom theory with real-world experiences through IBL-led field trips. It enhances facilities and programmes at key destinations - especially science education centres - to support IBL, while organising exhibitions, competitions and workshops to foster students’ and the public’s interest in science.

Additionally, the project offers structured training and practical guidance to strengthen science teaching. Outstanding educators will have opportunities for immersive study visits to the Chinese Mainland and overseas, bringing global insights into local classrooms. By fostering teacher learning communities, the project promotes knowledge sharing and drives innovation in primary science education across Hong Kong.

Dan Plane, Head of the Science Demonstration Department of The Royal Institution of Great Britain, demonstrates interactive science at the launch ceremony, inspiring enthusiastic participation from students while showcasing the fun of inquiry-based learning.

The project will benefit 30,000 students from 120 primary schools citywide. It will also assist 500 teachers through professional development and Community of Practice activities-. For more details about JC CoolScience, please visit https://jccoolscience.org/.

The Club’s support for JC CoolScience, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

The TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.