**********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Curriculum Development Council:
The Curriculum Development Council (CDC), at the Symposium cum Consultation Briefing on Science, Technology and Mathematics Education: Promotion of STEM Education - Unleashing Potential in Innovation held today (November 5), consulted schools on the recommendations and strategies for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, as well as on the updated curricula that provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for application in achieving the objectives of STEM education.
STEM education in Hong Kong is intended to promote students' interest and develop their capacity to innovate by enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills, through integrating and applying knowledge and skills across disciplines in solving authentic problems and promoting good citizenship. It also assists students' further studies and career planning, and the nurturing of diversified talents with a range of capabilities at different levels in science and technology fields with an aim to enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong and contribute to social and economic development.
The Chairperson of the CDC, Professor Kenneth Young, said, "STEM education will be promoted among schools in a holistic and coherent manner, through a variety of strategies. Apart from renewing the relevant curricula and strengthening project learning, these include enriching students' learning activities, providing suitable learning and teaching resources, enhancing teacher professional development, partnering with key players in the community, and conducting reviews while disseminating good practices.
"Other aspects of curriculum renewal for Learning to Learn 2.0 such as values education, reading across the curriculum, communication, personal and social skills are included in the curriculum design and pedagogical approaches."
The recommendations and strategies are provided in the Overview on "Promotion of STEM Education - Unleashing Potential in Innovation", available at the website: www.edb.gov.hk/en/curriculum-development/renewal/index.html. Stakeholders from schools and other sectors are invited to send their views and suggestions to the Education Bureau by post (address: Room E232, 2/F, East Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong), by fax (2194 0670), or via email (science@edb.gov.hk) by January 4, 2016.
Ends/Thursday, November 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:54
NNNN