Hong Kong's bright young minds have been showcasing their innovative ideas at the Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2016. Their creative designs used science and technology to make people's everyday lives easier.
The secondary students' efforts were impressive, with inventions ranging from a portable air-conditioner to a car that can be manoeuvred using a gesture control armband.
Keep cool
A team of Wah Yan College Kowloon students created the Pocket Smart Air-conditioner to help people stay cool during Hong Kong's notoriously hot summers. The team's target market is campers or those who work in cramped outdoor environments like toll booths.
The air-conditioner is equipped with several sensors providing real-time temperature, humidity and air pollution readings. The students used a Peltier chip as a cooling mechanism which saves more energy than a traditional air-conditioner which uses a refrigerant.
Built-in rechargeable batteries mean it can supply up to four hours of cooling air on a single charge.
"The batteries can be charged while the air-conditioner is in use as it comes with a portable charger," explained Secondary Four student Matthew Leung.
Their innovative idea was awarded the first runner-up prize in the Senior Division Invention Projects category.
"I like science, especially electronic and computer research. I plan to study this subject in future so I can help more people by inventing new technologies," Matthew added.
Smart move
Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Secondary School students invented a Smart "Mobile" Car which can carry up to 60kg of materials.
Secondary Four student Noddy Chung demonstrated how to manoeuvre the car using a wearable gesture control armband.
"By turning your wrist in the direction you want the car to go, the car will receive the command and follow your instructions, so the user does not need to push the car which reduces the risk of muscle strain."
Invention convention
Noddy and his teammates were awarded an Honourable Mention in the Senior Division Invention Projects category. The judges asked the team to represent Hong Kong in the annual International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering & Environment) Project Olympiad in Houston, Texas in April.
The team did well, winning the bronze medal in the Engineering category. They were able to meet students from more than 60 countries, with the added bonus of a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science which helped broaden their scientific horizons.
"We were excited and glad to find out that we were being given the opportunity to go to the United States. We met other students who are passionate about scientific research and swapped ideas with them," said Noddy.
Scientific potential
The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2016 has been jointly organised by the Education Bureau, Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and Science Museum since 1998, with support from the Innovation & Technology Commission and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks.
It is one of the largest and most highly recognised science competitions in Hong Kong aimed at promoting the interests of youth in science and technology and developing their science potential.
This year's competition was held in March and April under the theme: "From Theory to Practice ‧ Develop Science Potential" and attracted more than 800 students from 88 secondary schools.
Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Supervisor Alice Lui hopes that by hosting these events they can boost students' interest in science and technology while helping them experience the scientific spirit and develop their creativity through innovation and research.
"The ultimate goal is to attract more youngsters to the science and technology industry," Ms Lui said.
