Sharing by OWLHK team members
Carrie Cheung (Senior Project Officer)
Being one who loves playing deductive games, I felt excited about the problem-solving games even before this trip. It turned out the experience was better than I expected! The games were designed by a professional team who was specialized in devising problem-solving games. The props and clues provided in the game package were brilliantly designed, and the game scenarios had a great variety, with a certain level of challenges. The well-written plot, and high interactivity between players and the surroundings, also contributed to its high playability. Besides, I remembered vividly how it could enable players to learn related knowledge in a subtle way. Our games, the teacher-led “Granny’s Secret” and free-exploratory “Back to the Mui Wo”, transfer knowledge via game scenarios or explanations. On the other hand, the two problem-solving games we experienced in Taiwan integrated knowledge into the storyline. For instance, we could learn about animals’ body parts that were crucial to survival by reading through their “medical reports” in the game. Such a method could enable players to learn about wildlife survival and ecological knowledge in an intriguing and understandable way. As it was naturally and smoothly arranged, I was extremely impressed!
After experiencing Taiwan’s problem-solving games, I could not wait to design more new games of our own!
Ant Lam (Project & Development Officer)
The OWLHK diving team, with nine of us, went diving in Houbihu in Kenting. However, when diving into the first diving site, the snorkelling area, I was in complete shock. Lots of transparent objects were floating in the sea. From a distance, I thought they were jellyfish. But with a close look, they were plastic bags and packaging wastes. I had never imagined a tourist spot that was famous for diving and snorkelling could be polluted in such degree by marine litter. Subsequent to the completion of shore diving, we got back on land to rest for a bit. After composing our thoughts, we went to another diving site, the water outlet. This diving site is in stark contrast to the previous one. Water here was clear and no rubbish were spotted. Different types of marine creatures swam relaxingly in the sea. Apart from enormous giant clams and colourful sea slugs, a green sea turtle was found resting on the seabed! The underwater world here was truly fascinating. With joy and the feeling of being reluctant to leave, we completed our dives for the day.
Ocean is a place filled with magic. It could help us to be relaxed and carefree, and enable us to appreciate the majestic underwater world calmly. The vast and thriving ocean initially does not require human’s protection. However, human activities have destroyed and seized the marine resources continuously. It is our time to take responsibility. Stop pollution, destruction and seizing resources endlessly, and this will be the best protection for the ocean.
Janice Lo (Founder and Creative Director)
In the 7-days-6-nights journey, apart from fixed schedules, our itinerary also included activities that were freely planned by ourselves, like visiting local special attractions and some time for self-exploration. The best part was that according to our own interests, we split into small groups and experienced land and sea activities. In Cultural Park of Taiwan Military Veteran Village ‘Farewell 886’, we even had a competition among ourselves! Every one of us has utilized one’s expertise to gain victory for own team. I was deeply impressed by everyone’s intelligence, imagination, power of observation and exquisite craftsmanship. When we were stuck at certain level, there would always be a member who could overcome the obstacles for the team! Subsequently, we enjoyed free exploration time in Kaohsiung Shoushan National Natural Park, Shuangliu National Forest Recreation Area, Dongyuan Wetland and Kenting. 15 pairs of eyes were curious about the nature, and were always ready to provide endless novel discoveries.
To me, I am glad that we are able to experience such an interflow journey once a year. External learning experiences are certainly essential. In the journey, members could interact with each other. Building a connection and having great chemistry outside the workplace is no doubt a valuable reward for a team consisting of more than ten members. It is indeed challenging to thrive in the road of environmental education. To face the successive challenges, I hope that we could all work together, and roll with the punches. Through environmental education work that we have great faith in, I hope that we could try our best to contribute to the nature that we deeply adore.
