Curriculum Development Council November 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 talents with different capabilities and at different levels in the science and technology fields for enhancing the
international competitiveness of HK
i. Learner-centred approaches
Suiting the needs and interests of students ii. Essential learning experiences
STEM-related learning opportunities as part of the essential learning experiences (that include those beyond classroom)
iii. Balance among different purposes, views and interests
With considerations of students’ interests & needs, teachers’ views and partnerships with community stakeholders
iv. Building on strengths
Building on school experiences and other conducive factors, such as flexible use of learning time, life-wide learning experiences, etc.
v. Continuous development process A 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.
Subject Knowledge Integrate & Apply
Knowledge
Attitudes Skills
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 Education
Science Education
Structure of DNA
Model Design
Technology Education
Model Making
Ratio Mathematics Education
Measuring
Picture Source: Nature Education
DNA Model Making
Rubber Band Powered Car
General Studies General 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
Estima
Mathematics
tionEducation Mathematics
Education
Errors
Science Education
Science Education
Rate and ratio
Approach Two
Projects integrating relevant learning elements of different KLAs
ME KLA TE KLA
SE KLA
Food Pyramid
Science Education
Science Education
Food 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 the relevance 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 maths
learning, 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 Council
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
Non-government Organisation
Government and Related Organisation Post-Secondary
Institutions
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 Committees
Primary and Secondary
Schools
Professional Bodies (e.g.
HKASME, HKTEA, HKIE) Other
Government Departments /
Government- related Organisations Government Non-
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 nation
EDB Website>Curriculum Development>Topic Highlights>Ongoing Renewal of the School Curriculum
URL address: http://www.edb.gov.hk/renewal
Subject Curriculum KLA/
Guides Consultation Begins ConsultationEnds 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
