Of pirouettes and periodic tables, Hong Kong’s public broadcaster aims to bring scientists out of the lab and into living rooms
Six-part series follows renewed interest in promoting learning of science, technology, engineering and maths
There is something beautiful about the convergence of art and science that has always captivated Joseph Lee Hun-wei.
“Everywhere you go, people who practise ballet speak the same ‘language’ of ballet. It’s all very universal and logical – it is a bit like calculus,” Lee told the Post.
Bookish and soft-spoken, the 65-year-old environmental hydraulics professor – best known for his work on the theory of buoyant jets and pollution control and prevention, among other areas of research – does not fit the image of a typical danseur.
Earlier this month, he was able to showcase his pirouettes and barres as the city’s public broadcaster RTHK rides a wave of renewed government interest in “STEM” – science, technology, engineering and maths – education.
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The broadcaster has recently invested HK$3 million (US$385,000) in a six-part documentary, Our Scientists, to feature six of the city’s distinguished scientists. The programme brings them closer to the public from their arcane corners of academia and shows there is more to them than equations and lab work.