Forward-looking STEAM education to cultivate future innovation and technology elites

H.K.E.C.A. Wu Si Chong Memorial School Based on the motto of "diligence and self-improvement", we are committed to cultivating students' all-round development. In terms of STEAM education, Principal Guan Qianfen emphasizes cross-curricular integration, cultivating students' comprehensive application abilities through cross-curricular collaboration, project learning, and hands-on practice, and cultivating the "WSC" spirit in the learning process, possessing the qualities of Wisdom, Sympathy, and Courage. With its outstanding teaching results, the school was awarded the honor of "Top Ten Outstanding Schools for Promoting STEM" last year.

Connecting knowledge across subjects, using hands and brain to learn and solve problems

With the core concept of "use your brain and do it", the school cultivates students' scientific knowledge and skills, as well as problem-solving abilities through a three-tier teaching structure. At the first level of teaching, the school emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, linking the established themes with the knowledge of each subject, taking general knowledge as the leading subject, and permeating STEAM content into each subject to complete thematic study works. Teacher Tang Jiajun, director of the General Studies Department, pointed out that taking "energy saving" as an example, the General Studies Department teaches the concept of environmental protection; the Computer Department teaches programming skills and sensor production; the Visual Arts Department produces simulated home models; and the Chinese and English subjects also teach reporting skills. Through the connection of knowledge, students can use knowledge from different subjects to solve difficult problems.

Introducing the "Thirteen Types of Giftedness" to lay the foundation for thinking application

Starting from general knowledge subjects, the school introduced the "Thirteen Types of Giftedness" to teach students to apply thinking skills, such as mind mapping, so as to cultivate critical and analytical abilities. In this process, students not only master the skills and foundation of experiments, but also lay a good foundation for future experimental skills and logical thinking, and stimulate their interest. At the same time, there are also cross-curricular special studies in daily classes to guide students in applying inquiry methods and gradually improve their abilities. For example, in the special study on "Renovating Nostalgic Toys", fourth grade students visited community elders to learn about the stories of old toys, and used programming techniques such as Scratch and Micro:bit to improve nostalgic toys, injecting warmth and human touch into technology.

Enrich the learning journey and provide practical opportunities

The school provides a wealth of STEAM learning opportunities, allowing students to explore knowledge through hands-on learning, such as designing unconventional whole-class multiple intelligence courses that cover science and technology, including robotics courses and lower-grade unplugged courses, providing students with more opportunities for practice. In addition, the school also hopes that students can apply scientific skills to social services. Taking STEAM Week as an example, the general knowledge department arranged service learning and contacted kindergartens to let fifth grade students serve as primary teachers to teach kindergarten students STEAM knowledge. This not only allows them to review the past and learn new things, but also promotes students' leadership and reporting skills, further promoting personal development.

Discover interests and potential and broaden the horizons of innovation and technology learning

Through various whole-class learning, schools can discover students' interests and potential in STEAM fields, and then arrange STEAM after-school interest groups for pull-out learning, such as Vex IQ and drone football. Led by teachers who specialize in science and technology, these groups welcome students from all grade levels and provide opportunities for in-depth learning.

For outstanding students, the school will arrange for them to participate in exchanges and competitions to broaden their horizons. For example, fourth grade students participated in the Greater Bay Area exchange group to learn about domestic developments in the fields of science and technology and astronomy. In terms of competitions, the school encourages students to actively participate and provides support to give them the opportunity to showcase their learning achievements and talents. Last school year, the school achieved a major breakthrough by winning nearly 200 STEAM-type awards in just one year.

Earlier, students from the "Little Scientists" top-notch program participated in the "26th "Common Sense Versatile" Primary School STEAM Exploration Competition" and appeared with "Hong"! The smart water deflector and the "My Distance from Flood" app won the Outstanding Award and Merit Award, and team members and teachers were invited to participate in a live radio broadcast to share their feelings. Principal Guan pointed out that through competitions, students not only practice empathy, but also train organizational skills, speech skills and team spirit.

Develop information literacy and use technology appropriately

Facing the new digital era, the school is committed to integrating information literacy into the teaching of various subjects, especially computer science, to educate students on the correct attitude towards the use of technology. Each grade has a systematic curriculum and arranges special studies to help students identify the authenticity of online information and build awareness of legal citation of information. In response to the increasing number of online scams, computer teachers produce weekly short videos for campus TV stations to help students understand online traps and learn to protect themselves. The school also attaches great importance to home-school cooperation and holds monthly parent seminars to guide parents in setting APP permissions, supervising their children's online time, and balancing eye protection and learning needs. From the classroom to the home, we will cultivate students’ information literacy in an all-round way and establish a safe and healthy attitude toward information use.