The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition (HKSSPC) 2018 Initial Judging cum Project Exhibition was successfully held on March 10 at Hong Kong Science Park. The competition is jointly organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Science Museum, and supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. This year, a record-breaking number of applications was received with over 1,000 students in 300 teams from nearly 90 secondary schools enrolling in the competition.

On its 20th Anniversary, HKSSPC 2018 made a recognisable step in encouraging academic exchange between global and local young science talents by introducing a new division for international champion entrants. Seventeen international teams coming from 8 countries and regions, including the USA, Brazil, Turkmenistan, Singapore and the Philippines, etc, demonstrated their innovative ideas.

The Organisers announced the winning teams of the International Division and Scientific Wallchart Division, along with the 20 finalists in the Junior and Senior Divisions who entered the Final Judging and other special awards competitions. “Pectin-Carboxymethyl Cellulose Biocapsule for Potential Colon Targeted Oral Drug Delivery” and “Verde: An Edible Alternative to Plastic Cutlery” developed by two teams from the Philippines were the first prize winners of the International Division. “It has been a valuable experience for us to compete in Hong Kong and exchange ideas with Hong Kong and other international teams. The panel judges offered insightful advice which had helped us improve our project to become more practical. Also, HKSSPC has provided a platform for us to meet peers with similar interests and to stimulate innovative and inspiring ideas. We look forward to participating in the HKSSPC again,” said Coleen Quirim from one of the first prize winning teams of the International Division.

The competition for local teams was divided into Junior and Senior Divisions with winners from the Invention and Investigation projects to be announced on the Final Judging Day on April 14 (Saturday). The exhibition was open to the public for visiting and exchange with students.

HKSSPC, which aims to nurture young science talent, has been a core government-supported programme in Hong Kong since 1998. Please click here for details of the competition.