Jointly organised by the Department of Geography at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the “Extreme Weather and Sustainable Development“ education event was successfully held on 13 April at HKU. The event attracted around 300 participants, including secondary school students, educators, and members of the public, all united by a shared commitment to raising youth awareness and engagement in climate action, and rethinking the pathway toward a sustainable future.
Interdisciplinary collaboration to build sustainable cities of the future
The Department of Geography collaborated with the Faculty of Social Sciences of HKU to organise an interdisciplinary applied learning workshop, allowing participants to experience DIY assembly of programmable portable meteorological instruments to collect microclimate spatial geographic data on campus, to understand the relevant concepts of urban heat island effect. The workshop instructor, Mr CHANG Man Hei Jeffrey, a doctoral student from the Department of Geography at HKU, also introduced the integrated education direction of citizen science and geographical and meteorological surveys in the teaching content.
In the keynote session, Ms LEE Shuk Ming, Senior Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory, reviewed recent extreme weather events affecting Hong Kong and stressed the urgency of both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Professor LAM Yun Fat Nicky from HKU’s Department of Geography highlighted the critical role of educators in integrating STEAM education and citizen science. He advocated for inquiry-based, student-centered approaches to cultivating climate literacy among the younger generation.
The themed symposium welcomed distinguished speakers from the fields of education and meteorological science, including former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory Professor LAM Chiu Ying, SBS; Mr. Marius CHOW, Director of Talent Development at the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE); Principal KWOK Chi Tai of the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen); and Vice Principal LEUNG Wing Kin of Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College.
The discussion focused on the positioning of meteorological education within the local curriculum, opportunities and challenges in integrating STEAM, and strategies to deepen student engagement in sustainability issues through cross-sector collaboration.
All speakers emphasised that in the face of intensifying climate change, cross-disciplinary cooperation and youth empowerment are more important than ever. They noted that climate action can begin with simple lifestyle changes — what we eat, wear, and how we commute — and need not be confined to traditional academic subjects. In today’s STEAM-driven landscape, technologies and data offer exciting opportunities to spark curiosity and empathy among students toward weather and environmental issues.
This event not only strengthened ties between the academic and educational sectors, but also served as an innovative model for experiential learning in Hong Kong secondary schools — demonstrating the powerful synergy of geography and STEAM education in advancing sustainability.
This event also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Meteorology Team of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. The diverse programme featured the 4th Scout Meteorology Day, a DIY portable weather station workshop, a Geography x STEAM-themed symposium, an exhibition of student innovations, a STEAM poster competition, and an award ceremony and sharing session hosted by the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen). Together, these offerings provided a multifaceted learning experience that deepened participants’ understanding of extreme weather events, the urban heat island effect, and climate change.
Article Source:
Press Release/Material by The University of Hong Kong
Featured image: Ms LEE Shuk Ming, Senior Scientific Officer of The Hong Kong Observatory (third left), Professor LAM Chiu Ying, SBS, former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (fourth left), Professor LAM Yun Fat Nicky of the Department of Geography of the University of Hong Kong (fourth right) and other guests of honor at the event. Credit: The University of Hong Kong
