Hong Kong charity’s STEM programme puts real-world solutions into the hands of disadvantaged students
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Bursting with creative energy, two 11-year-old boys enthusiastically show a school visitor some of the mobile apps they have developed, including multilingual translators and number-guessing games, under an innovative education initiative.
“I’ve learned how to design apps from a STEM education programme,” said Ian Li Sze-ip, a Primary Six student. “What’s more, it has inspired me to develop apps that can help people, such as those for multichannel communications including messaging and emailing.”
His classmate Hugo Lai Yat-jun has also been keen to use STEM to improve everyday life since joining the same programme. “Sometimes I will look around and see if I can design an app to make our lives better,” he said.
STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The focus on hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a variety of skill sets, including problem solving and creativity.
The boys’ mothers noted their sons’ newly developed interest in exploring STEM solutions to daily-life problems.
“Hugo’s horizons and vision have been broadened,” his mother said.
Li’s mother observed similar changes with her son. “He has acquired a lot of knowledge that is not taught in the classroom.”