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| Past Events: Bay Area Experience: Evidence-based Policy Webinar Series |
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Building the Future STEM Workforce from K-12 in the Greater Bay Area
25 February 2022 | 11:00–12:15 (UTC+8) | Zoom |
Speaker
Prof. Thomas K. F. Chiu
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Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, CUHK
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Discussants
Prof. Ching-sing Chai
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Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, CUHK
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Prof. Peter Z. Wan
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Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong
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Moderator
Prof. Fanny M. Cheung
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Senior Advisor, Faculty of Social Science and HKIAPS, CUHK
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Policy Research @ HKIAPS launched its Bay Area Experience Webinar Series on 25 February 2022, with the topic “Building the Future STEM Workforce from K-12 in the Greater Bay Area”. In this webinar, Prof. Thomas K. F. Chiu shared his research on the STEM education programme in the HKSAR, including on the background of STEM education, the possible challenges to improving STEM education and the workforce, and the corresponding recommendations. The two discussants, Prof. Ching-sing Chai and Prof. Peter Z. Wan, commented on and elaborated upon issues relating to integrative STEM and the STEM workforce.
In his presentation, Prof. Chiu pointed out that an interest in and identification with STEM are strong indicators of continuous engagement by students in STEM-related activities. Other factors, including the current examination system and the heavy language requirements, may also affect students’ perception of STEM-related subjects. The finding also highlights the relatively little relevance that Hong Kong students perceive that STEM education plays in their life. Based on the finding, Prof. Chiu proposed strengthening STEM identity by improving STEM education in schools, universities, and industries in Hong Kong. For example, secondary schools should help students equip themselves to explore opportunities in post-secondary education and in the job market in STEM disciplines. Such opportunities may even enhance social mobility and reduce social inequality in Hong Kong.
Echoing Prof. Chiu, Prof. Chai shared his research on support for STEM education. His research indicated teachers who have had a STEM education are significantly more efficient than other teachers. The sharing of teaching ideas and resources among teachers with different areas of expertise could lead to better outcomes in STEM education. Prof. Wan, for this part, discussed the future STEM workforce. He pointed out that current STEM skills need not be limited to STEM industries but can be applied more broadly. He believes that one drawback of the “Lego-type” of STEM learning is that students end up with a weak grasp of subject knowledge and skills. The suppression of creativity and the lack of connection among different activities might also hinder outcomes in STEM learning.
Around 40 local and regional participants attended the webinar.
Video
Article:
Nurturing STEM talents from K-12 (in Chinese) 
Organizer
Policy Research @ HKIAPS, CUHK
Co-sponsor
Global China Research Programme, CUHK
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