Appliance of science can be fun

For many children, studying science at school involves digesting a textbook full of facts and learning the basic techniques for carrying out experiments in a laboratory. The challenge for all science teachers is to enable students to understand the connections between the subject and their everyday experiences.

There are many additional science courses available in Hong Kong where children are able to explore the subject in a more engaging way. They offer pupils the opportunity to develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also enable children to understand that science involves a thought process that can be used in other areas of life.

'Instead of just looking at a model, they get to see and feel a real heart, and then they make a model out of plastic bottles to learn how blood flows through it. They squeal in excitement when they actually get to feel the toughness of its muscle. These experiences create deeper understandings.'

The Science Workshop runs classes throughout the year, and special programmes during major holidays. Its courses are designed to supplement traditional classes taught in schools in Hong Kong, the United States and Britain, and the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

Courses are available for children aged between two and 16 and take place at three locations - Central, Causeway Bay and Kowloon Tong.

One of the more popular is Sciencesploration and is suitable for children aged three to 13. It covers the six basic strands of science - physics, chemistry, life science, human biology, Earth science and space science.