School Education

Organised by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) and co-organised by the OWLHK, the Environmental Science Course (Level IV) - Walk with Nature: Ecological Conservation Leadership Programme was completed in October 2022! A total of 35 HKAGE student members from S.1 to S.5 participated in the programme. The whole programme was divided into three stages. Students first learnt about the local ecology and biodiversity, then explored different ecological conservation issues, and finally planned and implemented their ecological conservation projects in groups.

This course aimed to equip gifted students with the knowledge of local ecological conservation, and to empower students to practise what they have learnt throughout the programme. Hands-on practice can improve students' ability in solving problems independently, promote reflective learning at the same time, cultivate good values of protecting the environment and biodiversity. Therefore, more integrated environmental education was facilitated.

[Phase 1] Understanding the situation: Hong Kong fundamental ecology and biodiversity training

The programme held a series of training during May and June, each time with a specific theme of a local habitat, including urban, intertidal and freshwater ecology, etc. Under the guidance of OWLHK tutors, students learnt about local ecology and biodiversity through diverse teaching strategies. This phase also provided basic knowledge for students to learn about local ecological conservation issues.

Each student receives a course handbook and a local ecology “bible”, The Ecology and Biodiversity of Hong Kong before the programme starts.

Our Founder and Education Director, Dr. Xoni Ma, is introducing the content and the aims of the programme.

Students are experiencing how the local animals survive in different habitats through the board game, Law Of The Forest.

Students are trying to be a one-day forest researcher in the Tai Po Kau forest!

There are diverse organisms for us to learn about when we squat down and observe in an intertidal zone.

Finding nocturnal amphibians and reptiles in Lau Shui Heung Reservoir at night.

[Phase 2] Finding out the problem: human and nature - exploring ecological conservation issues in Hong Kong.

The second phase of the programme in August consisted of 6 training days with different ecological conservation topics. For instance, urban forestry, ocean pollution, wildlife trade, etc. Apart from getting familiar with these issues, students also equipped themselves with different skillsets for delivering conservation message, like designing board games, conducting seafood market surveys and making handicrafts. All of these armed students with diverse skills to plan and design their later nature conservation projects.

Learning about urban forestry and sustainable living style through the Tai Po orientation game.

For many students, the herp ambassador session is the first up-close contact with amphibians and reptiles.

Visiting Lai Chi Wo and learning about the relationship between the village life and the plants.

Student is drawing a lively and vivid Roselle on a bookmark!

Enjoying the astonishing view of the local coral communities at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in the glass bottom boat.

Seafood market can also be investigation site for ecological conservation research!

[Phase 3] Figure out the solution: designing and implementing the nature conservation project.

Under the guidance of the group mentor, students conceived, planned and implemented ecological conservation projects in groups from September to October. It concluded ecological video shooting, board game design, and investigation of the parrot market. Upon completion, the results of the ecological conservation project were presented to guests and parents at the press conference. Knowledge learnt was turned into beautiful works and promoted to even more people!

Distinguished guests and parents have been invited to the result release ceremony of nature conservation projects to appreciate students’ hard work throughout the programme.

The student is introducing the objectives and the outcomes of their own nature conservation project.

The Deputy Director of Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Ms. Ming-chuan Woo, has given many worthy suggestions and encouragement to students.

Parents are also enthusiastic about providing feedback to students’ presentations.

There is a free-flow Q&A session after the ceremony. The student is introducing his insect hotel to local wildlife photographer, Mr. Fung Hon Shing.

Guests, parents and students are having further discussions on the nature conservation projects and the potentials of extending their impacts.

Excellent Nature Conservation Project

Group 1
Insect Hotel Building

Students are building the insect hotel under mentors’ supervision.

Insect hotel is now open!

The architects of the insect hotel with their masterpiece.

A poster which introduces the objectives and goals of the insect hotel was also prepared at the result release ceremony.

Group 3
Urban Bird Boardgame Design

The student is using 3D modelling to produce the pieces to be used in the boardgame they designed.

The prototype of the board game demonstrated at the result release ceremony.

The design of the game pieces shows student’s efforts. The game pieces were designed based on six different urban birds in Hong Kong.

Each event card is based on real-life situations faced by urban birds on a daily basis!