Third Hong Kong Science Fair offers a platform to showcase young innovators’ original solutions and facilitate exchange of ideas

HKSF serves as the launchpad for the young innovators to transform their original ideas into hardware solutions. Visitors can show their support for their favourite invention onsite by casting votes for the “Most Popular Award”. The winner of this award will also be unveiled at the event.

Now in its third edition, the HKSF, organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF), is dedicated to fostering the growth of local innovators from a young age. Chairman of HKIF, Daryl Ng, says, “The Science Fair gives primary and secondary students a platform to showcase their creativity, and I am grateful for the ongoing support from all sectors. I encourage the public to experience first-hand the innovative energy of our youth and, together, to promote a culture of innovation and technology.”

Come and explore the innovations by the finalist teams at this year’s HKSF. A team from Hennessy Road Government Primary School (Causeway Bay) is presenting “Breathing Urban Forest”, a compact air-freshening solution with algae. Team member Kwok Ming Him said he was inspired by the drainage system in a flyover. The team relied on close collaboration to complete multiple aspects of the solution, including complex research on algae and the micro:bit programming that regulates the water level and temperature.

The team from St Teresa Secondary School always keeps abreast of current affairs and shares a concern over the safety of construction workers. “My father works in the construction sector and says many accidents involve workers working in gondolas at heights. Many have failed to wear the safety harness,” said team member Yannis Chan Ching-yan.

Thus, the team has designed a protective system with a smart safety harness, connected to an app. The system enables colleagues on the ground to monitor the situation in real-time to ensure the safety of workers on suspended platforms.

By participating in HKSF, the team aims to promote public awareness of safety in the construction sector. “We want more people to know that a simple device like the safety harness can save lives,” Chan said.

Sustainability is at the core of the project by a team from Victoria Shanghai Academy, which has entered HKSF for the second time. The team members said they enjoyed the exchange of ideas with like-minded young innovators at the HKSF 22-23.

This year, they want suggestions from visitors to further enhance their innovation, “Soup-a-plastic”. This invention, made from coconut meat in soup residue, is an affordable alternative to costly bioplastics. In large-batch production, “Soup-a-plastic” costs approximately HK$15 per kilogram, compared to regular bioplastic at HK$312 per kilogram, Valerie Ng Zhi-zhen said. The team arrived at the idea when they saw a huge amount of food waste being disposed of at their school’s cafeteria.

“We talked to our school’s catering company, and they let us collect the food waste to use in our project,” Ng noted, adding the project’s main challenges included the time-consuming research and getting the right proportion of the various ingredients.

In addition to being a platform showcasing young talent, HKSF is a dynamic space of science that invites visitors of all ages to actively engage and interact.

Six interactive zones are waiting to captivate your curiosity. At the “Magic Vit-C” workshop, food science takes centre stage. Participants are nudged to unravel the fascinating chemical dance between vitamin C and freshly cut fruits. The “Sand-sitivity” workshop promises a creative learning journey, where manipulating the texture and colour of sand becomes a sensory delight.

The “Reflection” zone brings the magic of bouncing light alive. Visitors are invited to come in and discover how their overlapping shadows engage them in an interactive game in a parallel universe.

In the immersive “Draw Me to the Stars” zone, watch as technology breathes life into physical drawings, transforming them into a virtual cosmos teeming with space creatures.

For innovators seeking a spark, the new experts’ sharing section at HKSF is a goldmine of inspiration. Experts from local universities and scientific institutions will unveil the latest breakthroughs in their research projects through engaging videos and demonstrations. These experts serve as beacons for aspiring innovators, reinforcing that innovation is not a solitary pursuit.

Expect to get up close with the latest home-grown technologies on display. These include the state-of-the-art “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, designed and produced by a team at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The system has successfully contributed to the national Chang’e 5 mission for lunar sample acquisition. Also on display are the solar vehicles “SOPHIE 8” and “MOBO-II”, designed and produced by the Solar Car Team of the Vocational Training Council, which have competed in Australia’s “World Solar Challenge”. There will also be the “Clearbot”, a self-driving, AI-powered electric floating robot that contributes to cleaning up the ocean.

Online registration is now open, and admission is free for the public. So, let’s gear up for an unforgettable journey of discovery and innovation!

The Third Hong Kong Science Fair and Award Presentation Ceremony

• Date: June 8 and 9, 2024 (Saturday and Sunday)

• Time: 10am to 6pm

• Venue: Hall 3FG, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

• Click here to register online