Curriculum Development CouncilNovember 2015

What is STEM Education? STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Introduced in 1990s by the National Science Foundation, USA, now variously used for initiatives in education, industry, economy, etc.

Aim of STEM education To strengthen the Science, Technology and

Mathematics Education to nurture diversified talentswith different capabilities and at different levels in the science and technology fields for enhancing the international competitiveness of HK

i. Learner-centred approachesSuiting the needs and interests of students

ii. Essential learning experiencesSTEM-related learning opportunities as part of the essential learningexperiences (that include those beyond classroom)

iii. Balance among different purposes, views and interestsWith considerations of students’ interests & needs, teachers’ viewsand partnerships with community stakeholders

iv. Building on strengthsBuilding on school experiences and other conducive factors, such asflexible use of learning time, life-wide learning experiences, etc.

v. Continuous development processA dynamic improving process

Reference has been made to the local, the Mainland and international experiences, the current education trends as well as ongoing renewal of school curriculum, in response to macro changing social, economic and demographic contexts:

To develop among students a solid knowledge base and to enhance their interests in Science, Technology and Mathematics for further studies and careers in meeting the changes and challenges in the contemporary world

To strengthen students’ ability to integrate and apply knowledge and skills, and to nurture students’ creativity, collaboration and problem solving skills, as well as to foster their innovation as required in the 21st century

To strengthen the professional capacity of and collaboration among teachers in schools and the partnerships with community stakeholders

To nurture talents and develop experts in STEM areas so as to contribute to the development of Hong Kong and the nation.

SubjectKnowledge

Integrate & Apply

Knowledge

AttitudesSkills

SE KLA TE KLA ME KLA

Approaches for STEM Learning Activities 

Approach One  Learning activities based on a topic of a KLA

SE KLA TE KLA ME KLA

Genetic Code

Science EducationScience

EducationStructure of DNA

Model Design

Technology Education

Model Making

RatioMathematics

EducationMeasuring

Picture Source: Nature Education

DNA Model Making

Rubber Band Powered Car

General StudiesGeneral Studies

Energy

Speed Mathematics Education 

Mathematics Education 

Design and build models

Measurement by GPS Tracking Apps and Investigating the Errors of Measurement

GPS tracking apps 

Technology Education Technology Education 

Using tablet computers

Estimation

Mathematics Education

Mathematics Education

ErrorsScience EducationScience Education

Rate and ratio

Approach TwoProjects integrating relevant learning elements of 

different KLAs 

ME KLATE KLASE KLA

Food

Pyramid

Science EducationScience

EducationFood

Substances

Technology Education

Technology Education

Food Preparation

Food Hygiene

Collect and 

organise data

Mathematics Education

Estimate and 

measure

Healthy Diet

• Design menu• Design mobile application 

for calculating calorie value• Food research and 

development

Food Research &

Development

4. Enhance professional development

of schools and teachers

2. Enrich learning

activities for students

1. Renew curricula

3. Provide learning and

teaching resources

5. Strengthen partnerships

with community key players

6. Conduct reviews and disseminate

good practices

Update Curriculum Framework

Update Science (Secondary 1-3) Curriculum (e.g. on area of life science)

Further strengthen the applications of science and therelevance of science to daily life contexts

Promote pedagogies facilitating students to integrate and apply knowledge and skills (e.g. scientific investigation,problem-based learning, design-and-make activities)

Update Curriculum Framework (Secondary 1-3) Ensure at least 30% of curriculum time under ICT to teach programming

concepts (including coding)

Cover six knowledge contexts, namely ICT, Materials & Structures, Operations & Manufacturing, Strategies & Management, Systems & Control, and Technology & Living are grouped into 16 core and 10 extension modules to ensure students to acquire common and concrete knowledge base

All schools are recommended to offer core modules with 8% of the curriculum time (4 periods per 6-day cycle). Some schools - offer extension modules to meet different needs of students (up to 15% of the curriculum time)

Promote theme-based, design-and-make learning activities to enhance integration and application of knowledge and skills through project learning among students

Cultivate students’ interest and curiosity through hands-on and minds-on STEM-related activities, allowing students to solve problems and create new solutions for the well-being of humankind

Update Curriculum Framework

Holistic and multi-stage review of Mathematics curriculum (P1-S6)

To address the issues like enhancing vertical continuity/progression in mathslearning, lateral alignment with other KLAs, STEM education, and incorporation of elements of ongoing curriculum renewal

Fine-tune learning and teaching sequence

Strengthen the learning and teaching of Data Handling and Probability, so as to develop students’ ability to make informed decision based on calculated risk.

Promote project learning, mathematical modeling, and problem-based learning to strengthen the ability to integrate and apply knowledge and skills, and make calculated judgment

Remarks:

Updates of curriculum content of Mathematics for P1-S3 (2016)

Updates of curriculum content of Mathematics for S4-S6 (2017)

Update Curriculum Framework Update curriculum contents (e.g. low carbon living, global

warming)

Enrich activities related to the applications of science and technology in solving everyday life problems (e.g. energy use in daily life, the use of simple machines)

Promote pedagogies for applying knowledge and skills through different learning activities (e.g. scientific investigation, project learning)

Develop students’ basic science process skills (e.g. observing, measuring, classifying, communicating)

2.1 Organise signature event to serve as hub – Education Fair for students

2.2 Use effectively school-based flexible time of central time allocation / outside classroom learning for engaging students in worthwhile learning experiences (e.g. cross-curricular and cross-KLA project learning or competitions)

2.3 Broaden learning opportunities for students through their participation in local/national/international competitions and projects

2.4 Nominate students with special talent to apply for local and overseas scholarships

3.1 Develop resource packages for teachers’ reference, including cross-disciplinary activities, project learning (e.g. new L&T resource packages for primary GS)

3.2 Recommend e-resources (e.g. e-library, online courses, e- textbooks) for effective learning and teaching

3.3 Enrich the learning and teaching resources on “EDB One-stop Portal” (OSP) hosted by HKEdCity

3.4 Promote learning and teaching resources and life-wide learning activities provided by various organisations (e.g. HK Science Park, HK Science Museum)

AFCD Lions Nature Education Centre

Hong Kong Observatory

Hong Kong Space Museum

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Aviation Discovery Centre

Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre

Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre

Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics

Education

Hong Kong Maritime Museum

Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change (MoCC)

Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden

Ocean Park Academy Hong Kong

Sik Sik Yuen Biotechnology Mobile Laboratory Program

WWF The Mai Po Nature Reserve

Hong Kong Technology Education Association

Hong Kong Science Museum

Arts & Technology Education Centre

Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks

Hong Kong Productivity

Council

The Hong Kong Academy of

Gifted Education

The Young Entrepreneurs Development Council

The Hong Kong Institute of Education

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education

Hong Kong Baptist University

City University of Hong Kong

City Gallery

The Hong Kong University of

Science and Technology

Airport Authority Hong Kong

MTR Corporation Limited

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association

British CouncilHong Kong

Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

Non-government Organisation

Government and Related Organisation

Post-SecondaryInstitutions

4.1 Organise event to serve as hub - Symposia for school heads and curriculum leaders

4.2 Organise PDPs for middle managers and teachers of ALL primary and secondary schools in the coming three years[∎]

4.3 Build learning communities to enhance knowledge exchange (e.g. “Professional Development Schools (PDS) Scheme” and “QEF Thematic Network (QTN)”)

4.4 Enhance teachers’ exposure to cutting edge development in science and technology fields through exchange with academics/partners in the territory and from the Mainland and overseas

STEM Education

Community

EDB and Curriculum Advisory

CommitteesPrimary and Secondary Schools

Professional Bodies (e.g.

HKASME, HKTEA, HKIE)Other

Government Departments / Government-

related Organisations

Non-Government

Organisations

Tertiary Institutions

6.1 Conduct research and evaluation studies on the implementation and review the curricula as appropriate

6.2 Identify good practices and consolidate experience

6.3 Disseminate evidence-based practices through PDPs, Centre of Excellence (CoE) (e.g. PDS of Education Development Fund)

STEM Education – “project learning” as a means to nurture creativity, innovation, collaboration and problem solving skills, and entrepreneurial spirit

Information Literacy – effective and ethical use of information

Language across the Curriculum (LaC) /Reading across the Curriculum (RaC) – including effective communication of innovative ideas

Refined Generic Skills – basic skills, thinking skills, personal and social skills

Values Education – nurturing positive values and attitudes e.g.through solving authentic problems to improve living and contribute to society and the nationEDB Website>Curriculum Development>Topic Highlights>Ongoing Renewal of the School CurriculumURL address: http://www.edb.gov.hk/renewal

KLA/Subject Curriculum

GuidesConsultation Begins Consultation

Ends Announcement

STEM Education (SE, TE, ME)

5 & 6 Nov 2015(SE - 9 & 25 Nov )(TE – 20 & 30 Nov)

(ME - 10, 11, 23 & 26 Nov)

4 Jan 2016 mid 2016

Primary General Studies Feb 2016 Mar 2016 late Jun 2016

Promotion of STEM Education

is

an Ongoing Development

collaborating

Thank You