Nurturing gifted students: Hong Kong schools' special programmes for brilliant young minds
Some children have a natural aptitude for art or music or perhaps tennis, and in the classroom environment it soon becomes clear which of them are academically gifted. Those talents may be evident in any number of ways: a facility for languages, speed in solving maths problems, or even a special fascination with a non-curricular subject like astronomy.
Within Hong Kong's already competitive education system, class teachers do all they can to encourage and nurture this potential. But sometimes children just have an inbuilt urgency to learn more and move faster, exhibiting a near-insatiable appetite for new challenges, information and ideas.
Fortunately, a number of options are available offering just the kind of supplementary programmes these motivated learners need.
Class teachers do all they can to encourage gifted children, but sometimes they just have an inbuilt urgency to learn more and move faster. Photo: Handout
'Our courses are designed by a team of experienced instructors and administrators, ensuring that they cater to diverse learning needs, while promoting academic and personal development,' says professor King Chow, director of the Centre for the Development of the Gifted and Talented (CDGT) at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). 'Seminars are held regularly to help teachers, parents and students clarify programme objectives and curriculum design. This leads to a supportive environment for gifted learners and allows them to have a more balanced school life, while taking classes at HKUST during weekends or holidays.'
CDGT was established in 2010 with the stated aim of bringing together select secondary school students in an environment conducive to fast-paced learning. Those admitted take intense, accelerated courses, which are complemented by out-of-classroom activities where individuals can talk about different personal interests and meet like-minded friends.
The curriculum looks to challenge and inspire, while also helping gifted students – and their families – understand their intellectual potential and how to make the most of their natural talents.
Institutions constantly review and refine programmes to meet student needs. Photo: Handout
Drawing on HKUST's particular strengths, most courses are built around science, mathematics or engineering, and are taught by university faculty members or other experienced teachers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
AI- and new-tech-powered innovations by local youngsters take centre stage at the Hong Kong Science Fair
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Advertisement A much-anticipated celebration of Hong Kong's dynamic innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem, the Fourth Hong Kong Science Fair spotlighted youth creativity, purpose, and technological ingenuity with the power to shape the future. Connecting the public with next-generation innovators, the event underscored both the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the determination of young minds to tackle today's most pressing challenges through technology. Over the years, the Science Fair has established itself as a platform that inspires creativity and fosters knowledge exchange. Award-winning students enjoyed their moment of glory. From addressing everyday struggles faced by the less fortunate to devising smarter, greener solutions for a more sustainable future, around 120 shortlisted teams unveiled original projects that fused innovation with empathy. These socially conscious young innovators demonstrated strong technical acumen and a profound sense of purpose, showcasing how science and technology can contribute to the greater good. Their AI-powered prototypes and tech-integrated solutions were as functional as they were inspiring, sparking a collective sense of optimism and engagement among visitors of all ages. The event stood as a testament to the potential unlocked when youthful vision meets real-world by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF), and supported by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR, the Science Fair was held in collaboration with strategic partners Sino Group and Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC). Professor Sun Dong (second from right) and Mr Daryl Ng (third from right) interacted with students. The award presentation ceremony took place in a celebratory atmosphere, as distinguished guests from across sectors came together to honour the city's emerging I&T talent. Their presence highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent and championing a culture of innovation. The event reached a rousing climax with the announcement of the Gold Award winners in each category, who earned top honours as well as the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in the ceremony, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, said that Hong Kong is going full steam ahead in establishing itself as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The Government has explicitly identified promoting an I&T culture for all as one of the eight major strategies outlined in the 'Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint' . Chairman of the HKIF and Deputy Chairman of Sino Group, Mr Daryl Ng, said at the ceremony: 'We believe in fostering an innovative spirit from an early age. Over the years, 'Hong Kong Science Fair' has been a platform that inspires creativity and fosters knowledge exchange. While AI technology is advancing rapidly, human creativity and imagination remain irreplaceable. It is encouraging to see students using technology to improve the quality of life and assist those in need, bringing joy to others.' Advertisement Executive Council convenor Mrs Regina Ip, and President of the Jury for the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, Mr David Taji-Farouki, participated in a sharing session during the ceremony. Mr Taji-Farouki expressed his admiration for the students' ability to incorporate AI into their project development. 'It's a natural evolution in innovation. Many teams leveraged AI to access large datasets and generate the statistics needed to advance their projects,' he noted. 'They also applied AI in practical and creative ways to address the challenges they identified, demonstrating a diverse range of applications.' In addition to AI application, Vice-President (Research) at City University of Hong Kong, Professor Anderson Shum, who was on the judging panel of the Science Fair, highlighted students' motivation to improve the quality of life for those in need by developing highly feasible solutions to address challenges such as hearing and vision impairments, as well as other pressing issues like sustainability. 'This aligns with Hong Kong's goal to become an I&T hub,' he said.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
How a Hong Kong man's drug-resistant epilepsy was relieved using robotics
Hongkonger Lo Wai-shing, 45, was diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy when he was 15 and says he once suffered from 10 seizures in a single month and might still experience one or two episodes a month despite taking medication. Holding down a regular job proved difficult due to his condition, he said, adding that he had only ever worked for his uncle's company and a supermarket that also employed his aunt. Lo underwent minimally invasive surgery at Queen Mary Hospital in April that involved a new robotic system. The procedure allowed doctors to identify the area of his brain that was causing the seizures and use heat generated by radio waves to destroy a small part of the tissue to help relieve his condition. 'In the month after the surgery, I have not had any seizures, and I sleep very well,' he said. 'I am very happy as it has largely reduced the frequency of the seizures.' The new robotic system means doctors in Hong Kong can use a more accurate and less invasive approach to identify the sources of epilepsy conditions that are untreatable with medication. Dr Benedict Taw Beng-teck, a neurosurgery consultant at the hospital, said the system could assist surgeons during a procedure named stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), which involves locating the area of the brain that causes epilepsy.
South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
A psychologist explains why your brain gives you a gut feeling – and if you can trust it
Have you ever met someone and felt an instant connection? How about immediate dislike? Some of us might think this feeling has something to do with fate or destiny. But psychologist Andrew Stock has a more scientific explanation. That gut feeling means our brain is working efficiently. It can be described by a concept called cognitive efficiency, which refers to using the least amount of energy to perform a task well. Stock is the president of the Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong and a founding partner at Therapy Partners. The psychologist explained that our brains learn to save energy and time by making quick decisions and judgments, often without us even realising it. He called it a 'short cut'. Scientists explain how volcanic ash turned a human brain into glass Why does the brain create short cuts? The brain constantly processes enormous amounts of information. It needs to use this information to make instant decisions. To handle this massive workload, the brain has trained itself to be as productive as possible. Instead of analysing every detail in a situation, our minds use short cuts to help us focus on the most important details, Stock explained. These short cuts help us quickly respond to new situations based on our previous experience. 'For example, when I see a dog barking loudly, I instantly step back, assuming it could be dangerous. Figuring out if it's friendly or not potentially comes later,' he said. Our brains are constantly processing information as quickly as possible. Photo: Shutterstock We even make snap judgments about people based on a small amount of information – like how they may look, speak or act when we first meet them. This can cause us to treat others differently, and we might not even realise it. For example, we might be friendlier to someone who dresses the same way we do while avoiding someone who seems different. 'When you get a gut feeling about a stranger, pause and consider the actual facts you have about them,' the psychologist said. Compare those facts with any assumptions you might have made before you come to a conclusion, he said. How can Hong Kong teens stress less and what apps are available? Avoiding false judgments You can try talking to friends or family to get different points of view. We can also practise empathy by imagining ourselves in someone else's shoes. Think about the other person's feelings, their situation or the reasons behind their actions. 'Perhaps some of your peers can't buy the newest Labubu charm because their parents earn less, but it's important to remember that their worth and coolness aren't defined by what they own,' Stock said. He also suggested making an effort to talk to people who come from different backgrounds to learn more before forming an opinion. Ask open-ended questions and encourage the other person to share more about themselves. Listen carefully and pay attention to things that do not match your first impression. Sometimes your brain might jump to a conclusion that isn't always accurate. Photo: Shutterstock It is also helpful to reflect on times when your gut feeling was wrong. This helps you realise that your instincts are not always accurate. 'Remember, your brain's short cuts are there to help, but they're not always right,' Stock said. 'Taking a little extra time to get to know someone can help you see them more clearly and can lead to better friendships, less conflict and a more open-minded view of the world.' Reflect: Have you ever had a gut feeling about something? To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
