Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2001

•Cultivatinga Lov e of Science C e n t r e f o r P r o m o t i n g S c i e n ce E d u c a t i o n The Faculty of Science established Ho n g Kong's f i r s t Centre for P r omo t i n g Science E d u c a t i on t o coordinate the faculty's collaborative efforts w i t h secondary schools in nurturin g scientists of tomorrow. The centre organize s talks at secondary schools, the Space Mu s eum, and the Science Mu s e um on diverse topics such as b i o t e c hno l og y , G M f ood, f o od a nd nutrition, Chinese medicine , marine biology , and even financial markets and risk management. Director of the centre Prof. David Tsang said, The aim of the centre is to kindle interest in science among students. A good grasp of basic scientific knowledge while at secondary school is helpful for the pursuit of related studies at the tertiary level. We hope to cultivate a passion for science and creativity among young people in Hong Kong.' Popularization o f S c i e n c e The Faculty of Science and its departments also promote scienc e education through summer classes, research camps, and training programmes offered jointly w i t h other organizations. The Department of Mathematics, for example, plays an important role in organizing publi c lectures, winter camps, and competitions to promote the teaching of mathematics i n collaboration w i t h the International Mathematical Olympiad (Hon g Kong) Committee. The Department of Biology launched a Summer Learning and Research Programme for Secondary Schools in 1999. The programme comprised seminars for teachers and students, laboratory learning to train biology teachers in evidence-based and investigative knowledge, and a summer research camp for Secondary 6 students to understand biology research at the tertiary level. Seen here is Dr. Chung Kwok-cheong (left 1) explaining to biology teachers how to prepare for an experiment. (Left) Students learning how to use the telescope under the Astronomical Training Programme for Secondary School Students organized by the Department of Physics and the Hong Kong Space Museum. (Right) Young chemists in the lab at the summer camp for secondary school students organized by the Department of Chemistry A S c i e n ce N e w s p a p e r f o r F r e e Reach was first launched i n September 1994 by the Faculty of Science w i t h the aim o f arousing student interest i n science. The biannual publication is distributed for free to secondary school teachers and students i n over 400 schools and community centres. The current circulation is 62,000. CHINES E UNIVERSIT Y BULLETI Autumn • Winter 2001 10