Hong Kong Science Fair marks five years of youth innovation

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For five years in a row the Hong Kong Science Fair has worked to build up the talent pipeline that will support scientific discovery and innovation in Hong Kong and across the country. 

By sparking ideas in children and instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in their formative years, it helps turn young curiosity into real-world solutions that support scientific discovery and innovation. 

The government is fully committed to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub, with talent being a key driver of this growth, a vision articulated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry. 

"The Hong Kong Science Fair has become an annual flagship I&T education event," he said. 

"It offers students a valuable platform to turn their innovative ideas into practice, deepen their interest and confidence in I&T, and help bring I&T into schools and the wider community, thereby fostering a more innovation-friendly atmosphere." 

Daryl Ng, Chairman of the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said the fair is intended to nurture talent from an early age by bringing together all sectors to promote I&T and inspire more young people to pursue careers in science and technology. 

“Innovation and technology are key to Hong Kong’s long-term sustainable development and are integral to the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. It is encouraging to see growing recognition of I&T opening up new opportunities for young people aspiring to pursue scientific research,” he said. 

“As the Hong Kong Science Fair enters its fifth edition, its growth has been made possible by the support of the HKSAR Government, industry partners, tertiary institutions, research organisations and our judging panels,” said Ng. 

This year the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China joins as an advisory organisation for the first time. 

From classroom idea to real-world solution

Since its launch the Hong Kong Science Fair has continued to grow in scale and quality, according to Prof Anderson Shum, Chairman of the Judging Panel and President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences. 

It is an important platform, he said, that integrates government policies, school education and hands-on activities so that young talent can develop within a more complete setting. 

"In regular classes, students may have ideas but often cannot turn them into reality due to curriculum limits and time constraints. The Science Fair gives them flexibility outside the classroom to realise their ideas, discuss them with experts and present their work to the public." 

He noted that the quality of projects has risen steadily over the years and is particularly encouraged by the growing social awareness in many entries. 

"We see young people not only following their curiosity but also paying attention to real needs in society," he said. 

"Some teams focus on helping the visually impaired, supporting the elderly, preventing fraud or solving everyday problems. This diversity of ideas is very healthy and encouraging." 

Opening doors to bigger stages

Ho, who handled the programming, recalled the technical challenges. The team had to learn how to use the HuskyLens AI module from scratch. They began with simple audio alerts and gradually refined the system to deliver clearer voice instructions. 

After the Hong Kong Science Fair the team continued improving the invention before taking it to the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. 

"I already wanted to invent things that could help people," he said. "This project made me even more determined to pursue that path." 

Kam Ho-yin, the teacher who guided the team, has watched the students grow in confidence and initiative throughout the process. "The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing their development through the process," he said.

Another team from SPHRC Kung Yik She Secondary School used the Science Fair to refine a smart cycling helmet aimed at improving road safety. 

David Taji-Farouki, President of the Jury of the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, said he had been impressed by how far Hong Kong students have come over the years. 

"Their projects show strong creativity, practical thinking and a clear ability to observe everyday needs and transform ideas into meaningful solutions," he said. 

"Their confidence, professionalism and presentation skills are also highly commendable. I look forward to seeing more young inventors from Hong Kong shine on the international stage." 

Building credibility through support and standards

The fair's reputation has drawn support from government, industry and academia. 

With Sino Group as principal patron, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau as supporting bureau, and the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification as strategic partner, the event has expanded its network considerably. 

Professor Wong Wing-tak, Chairman of the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification, noted that by integrating the rigorous spirit of testing and certification from the very inception of the young scientists’ ideas, they are not merely innovating, but also building solid public confidence in product quality and safety. This special award recognises outstanding talents who turn scientific inspiration into trustworthy solutions through systematic testing and certification, thereby leading the way into the future. 

Why the fair draws interest

Since its launch in 2021, more than 400 local schools have participated, involving nearly 9,000 Primary 4 to Secondary 6 students and their teachers. Over 2,200 invention projects have been submitted and total attendance has surpassed 120,000 visitors. 

Interest remains strong this year, with more than 500 project submissions received. Following preliminary judging, around 120 shortlisted teams took part in workshops and mentorship sessions before earning the opportunity to showcase their inventions at the exhibition and compete for top honours. 

Following Hong Kong's first astronaut, Dr Lai Ka-ying, and her mission aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, the fair has incorporated aerospace elements. Visitors can write message cards of support for Dr Lai and learn about the daily work of payload specialists. 

In addition, UBTECH Robotics, a globally leading enterprise in embodied AI robotics, will participate in the exhibition, showcasing multiple humanoid robots and offering visitors the opportunity to experience the appeal of embodied intelligence up close. 

Visitors can explore hands-on science through activities such as the Bulu Bulu Bubble Factory, where participants create bath bombs while learning about chemical reactions, and the UBTECH Robotics Base, where they can interact with humanoid robots.