Artificial biodegradable skin, water rockets and other cool things Hong Kong students made and showed off at the DSS STEM fair
Primary and secondary students from 24 DSS schools show off their science and tech skills
Winnie Yan and her team showed off their water rocket at the fair. Rachel Lam, a Form Five student from St Paul’s Convent School, and her team created biodegradable skin using sodium alginate and xanthan gum. Their product helps those suffering from burns, preventing bacteria from entering the skin, and it was showed off at the first-ever Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools (DSS) Stem Fair at St Paul's Convent School in Causeway Bay on Monday.
“Although the skin itself is yet to undergo animal testing, we hope we have the opportunity to carry out further animal and clinical testing. We hope it can be commercialised in the future to help people in need,” says Rachel, who won the Roche Young Scientist Award 2017.
The event, stablished by the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, celebrates young local talent for innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematicsin. Primary and secondary school students from 24 DSS schools, such as Diocesan Boys’ School and YMCA Hong Kong Christian College, were invited to showcase their projects.
Winnie Yan, a Form Five student from Chan Shu Kui Memorial School, exhibited a water rocket she made with her team at the fair.
Chiu Cheung-ki, director of the Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, explained why Stem education and fairs like this one matters. “We hope to further popularise the four Stem subjects, because we believe the future of societal development depends on technological developments and scientific achievements,” said Chiu. “Through the DSS Stem Fair, we also promote Stem education and nurture students to become scientists and be more innovative.”
The fair has also linked up with the 2017 Innotech Expo, which will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 24 to October 2. The expo will feature more than 130 science and technology-related exhibits.