A team of six students representing Hong Kong have won two gold and four silver medals in the 21st International Junior Science Olympiad, the Education Bureau announced today.

Chan Tsz-kiu from Queen’s College and Timothy Tian from St. Paul’s Co-educational College each earned a gold medal. The silver medalists are Chan Wai-yu, who is studying at Po Leung Kuk No. 1 W. H. Cheung College, in addition to Chan Wing-yan, Ma Sum-yuet and Yang Chun-chak, all from St. Paul’s Co-educational College.

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said: “The excellent results of the Hong Kong team, which have demonstrated our students’ exceptional talent in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) and their persistence in learning, is indeed very commendable.

“The Education Bureau will continue to strengthen the promotion of STEAM education in primary and secondary schools to nurture innovation in students, as well as step up the promotion of the effective use of the school-based student talent pool for identifying and nurturing more STEAM talent.”

She said that the bureau will strengthen collaboration with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education to offer more diversified training, and arrange for students to participate in citywide, cross-territory, national and international competitions so that students with potential in STEAM subjects have more opportunities to develop their capabilities.

This will also help to nurture innovation and technology talent for Hong Kong, she added.

Around 300 contestants from 52 countries or regions participated in the Olympiad, which was held in Romania from December 2 to 12.

Open to students aged 15 or below, the competition covers physics, chemistry and biology up to the senior secondary level, and comprises written assessments and science experiments.