2013 Oct Mailpack

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HKASME Oct-2013 Mail Pack

< A charitable institution with effect from 15 May 2010 under the Section 88 of the IR Ordinance >

Items in this pack:

Council News – The "50th Anniversary Year", P.1-4

Science News – New Curriculum & Exams in UK, New Smear Test (Science &

touch screen), P.5-6

Chemistry News – Benefits for New ChemWeb members,P.7-9

Biology News & Phy subcomm-- P.10

Maths News – P.11-13

General Science News -- P.14

Sales Order Form – References for the New Curriculum

…Evolution in a test tube? …Would we Evolve or

Revolve in the NSS?

(((~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)))

Council News

The "50th

Anniversary Year" and the new Webpage … http://www.hkasme.org

Thanks to our IT team, we've a new look on the WWW

2013 Oct Mailpack

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after more than a year of renovation. Hope that could bring convenience to our Subject co-ordinators

and hence, better service to our members. (While things are transferring from the OLD platform to the

NEW one, there may be bugs here and there. Please be patient! )

Ten years ago, Hong Kong had been hard-blown by the SARS and the 2003-AGM had also been

handled with grief due to the "silent city" and bad weather. And, it was also a wonderful experience to

have the "40th Anniversary Year" started after the AGM of 2003. Under similar situation, the 2013

to 2014 transition has similar situation, though less blown by the various flu factors. Yet, we have a

more drastic change from the 5-2-3 system to 3-3-4 system. Anyway, the HKASME is heading

towards its 50th

Anniversary. As we have a handful of projects at hand, the activities that will be

For several years, a particular type of enzymatic RNA molecule that can continuously evolve in the

test tube. The basis of this evolution comes from the fact that each time one of the molecules

replicates, there is a chance it will mutate – typically about once per round of replication – so the

population can acquire new traits over time. Would this also occur in our NSS?

Our “334” experiment has gone through the “3-3 stage” and the “4” is ongoing! What have we

learnt in our secondary systems and the post-secondary stages? Some survive, some mutate, some

perish? Which species – the students? the teachers? the parents? the society? the

Authorities? the Whole system? .. or .. even more, effects on the wider -- "the Greater China

(including Taiwan)" when their universities try to recruit our DSE and/or Associate degree students?

We follow the footsteps of Darwin with “evolution” along the natural historical environment.

Would our society follow similar trends? Of course, we are facing the challenges from different

kinds of artificial and natural forces (“food” / “energy” supply from the Authorities, book publishers,

different stakeholders,…) As for the curriculum modifications due to various voices over the years,

the Authorities still can't have that shaped for different groups of students and the forces of the free

market has been restricted. If the Authority is not happy with the free market situation, why don’t

they monopolize the textbook publishing? Due to the social trends, tutorial schools flourish!?

Why “electronic books” is still not a norm in the World (experiment is on the way with taxpayers’

money)? Why the International Schools handle the “hair tests” with reference to the “suspected

drug-targets (students)” in schools? As the DSE is benchmarked against international standards,

why can't we just take the IB? ….. And, the UK system also changes in the coming year.

There are more questions than answers. More uncertainties and conflicts rather than the

“apparently harmonic scenery”.

After all, it's "How do our students feel" is the most important! For the elites, they

surely could survive as they have the potential to adapt to various different environment.

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However, most students still think that they are under “test tube experiments” and some parents

even choose the alternatives – going abroad, or go to International Schools, or even delay their

study through exchange programs or otherwise (some parents think that the first year of HKDSE is

confusing and disadvantaged)! **

Surely, many educators are working hard in different “test-tube schools” to find solution to

various problems in the new system. Things can’t be solved by themselves naturally and the

system can’t be reverted back to pre-2012. The “LS”, the “SBA issues”, the “fine-tuning” and

the further modification of various subject curriculum are just another round of experiment within

our “Education Laboratories (the whole school system)" for all. We can just wait and see …

!?

SBA conference dates: 26 Oct 2013 (Chemistry), 2 Nov 2013 (Physics),

9 Nov 2013 (Biology). See you in the coming SBA Conference.

Are we all “hand-in-hand” ??

** Notes & Further Implications from the DSE, JUPAS and … (2012+) :

From the JUPAS and Non-JUPAS offers by Aug-2013, the Universities allow students to re-sit

and most count the "best result" only. Will this be a forever trend? [Note: the new iAL of the

Edexcel AL Examination (starting 2014) only allow ONE more re-sit. !]

Check for more updates round the World, e.g. The new Dip. in Sc. in UK to be launched by 2012 …

CHECK “SCIENCE NEWS” in this Newsletter below.

((============================================================================))

Sir Quo-wei Lee , GBM, CBE, JP (利國偉) our Ex-President from 1986 to 2006 passed

away on 10 Aug 2013.

Sales:

--… check for some NEW references, and OLD stock Sales in the Sales Order

Form…(can be downloaded from www.hkasme.org )

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Dear members,

We are glad to inform you that the Association has recently revamped its website. You

are invited to visit our website at www.hkasme.org for activities updates and news

about the Association.

The “Member Download Area” can only be accessed by members. Login passwords will

be sent to members individually via postal mail. The login name for each member is a

string made up of the member number followed by the full name of the member in small

letter with space skipped.

For example: Member name : Chan Chi Man David

Member number: 1225

Login Name: 1225chanchiman small letter, no space

The login passwords will be sent to members in October. If you do not receive the

information by the end of October or has any query, please feel free to contact Ms. Chu

at 23330096 or enquiry@hkasme.org.

Thanks for your support.

Regards,

The Council

Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics Education.

((=====================))

Support Your Association!!

◆ Renew Your Membership NOW!!

◆ Join the subject Sub-committees!!!

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Science News 1. NEW Qualification in UK to be launched --- lots of reform outside HK! = iAL!

…… Does our Government tried hard to provide alternative like this for our

334 Students ??? ……. What do you say – YES? or … NO?

http://www.sciencediploma.co.uk

The Diploma in Science (DIS) is a new qualification for those aged 14-19 year olds

and is being developed now. The Foundation and Higher levels will launch in

September 2011 and the Advanced level in September 2012 (Same year as our

HKDSE!)

The DIS will become part of a new suite of qualifications and will sit alongside the

traditional education pathways of the present GCSEs and A Levels. The

qualification will offer UK students an alternative route of study, blending

classroom-based learning with work-related practical experience, which allows Ss

to keep their options open. (Does the HKSAR Government tried hard to provide

alternatives to our Ss??)

Students will understand how to apply theory and practice and be able to make informed

decisions about their future. The qualification will:

equip Ss with essential skills to prepare them for work and continuing education

be a challenging qualification valued both by industry and education

provide flexibility and choice and give Ss a variety of study options

The Structure of DIS consists of 3 levels:

1. Foundation – equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D to G (2010)

2. Higher Level – equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C (2011)

3. Advanced Level – equivalent to 3.5 A Levels (launched by 2012)

The study will be a mix of:

Principal learning which focuses on developing science knowledge and skills,

with an emphasis on learning by doing

Generic learning to give Ss the English , ICT and Maths skills needed to deal

with everyday life. They will also get a good grounding in personal, learning

and critical thinking skills which they will find useful both in education and the

workplace

Additional and specialist learning which allows the Ss to choose extra subjects

to study

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Other than the new form of study and qualification methods, the consultation is open to ALL online.

Though the HKSAR Governement has opened NSS information to school (much more than any other

reform), many things are still uncertain and input to school is NOT enough! ………. “Talking is

easier than get the work done.” – In what direction would you like the reform to go… ?

2. Smear test -- science related to "Touch Screens" …

What's on it ? E coli bugs:

Touch screens have become ubiquitous and almost essential for many of us. But, have you

consider the grubby fingers and greasy fingerprints on our touch screens. When they collide it leads to a

smeary view of our digital world that could spread pathogens between users. Steve block, an electronics

industry scientist at Dow Corning who works on coatings for touch screens explains: "There's a whole

range of things that can contaminate those surfaces," he says. "There are natural oils on the fingers as

well as the lotions people put their hands. Then there's cosmetics and the times when you hold your

telephone up to your ear and it's sweaty." Various research teams are looking at natural non-stick

materials, such as the insides of the carnivorous pitcher plant to find smart ways to maintain your touch

screen's pristine, out of the box, smoothness.

What sort of science will you post for your students to investigate -- biology, chemistry, physics,

engineering, healthcare, …. ?

Check for more details at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23133453

((=====================))

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS !!!!!

Members who use autopay for membership fee payment are reminded to

check for the sufficient fund in the designated bank account. The membership

fee will be collected from the accounts for $150. around 17th Oct, 2013

(Thursday).

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Chemistry News

1, “Benefits” & "to update & UPgrade" ? sign in for member

of Chemweb.com -- It's FREE!

ChemWeb members now have access to selected full-text articles from Chemistry publishers

including Wiley, Elsevier, Springer, Bentham Science, Taylor & Francis, and recently added, ACS

Publications. Members can download a selection of articles covering a broad range of topics direct from

the pages of some of the most respected journals in Chemistry.

Explore some of the latest research or highly cited articles. Not yet a ChemWeb member?

Membership is free, and registration takes just a minute http://www.chemweb.com …

< More >….. "The Alchemist" is the ChemWeb.com e-magazine (launched in July 1997). It is free

to all members of ChemWeb.com and provides biweekly news and views on the latest developments in

chemistry and related disciplines. After sign-in, materials that could enhance your self-development,

education, research, product development, will be at your fingertips!

2. Greener flares better for environment…..

Having nitrogen instead of carbon dioxide for fireworks? Yes, by just replacing the perchlorate salts

in the fireworks with the cheaper and widely used 5-amino tetrazole (5-AT). Check for more at

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/08/greener-flares-environment-5-amino-tetrazole

3. Alert of changes to DSE-2016 = this year's F.4 …..

Beware of updated changes in the DSE-2016 batch curriculum -- download from the EDB website.

There may be ongoing amendments for 2017, 2018, … curriculum.

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Chemistry Subject Year Plan

Month Activity

26 Oct 2013 SBA – Conference (Chemistry)

Dec 2013 HKDSE Chemistry Mock Examination 2013

Oct 2013

Jul 2014

“Digichem” Video Production Competition for Hong Kong

Secondary School 2013-2014

May – Jul 2014 New Senior Secondary Chemistry Assessment ( 2014 – May)

Jun Jul 2014 Australian National Chemistry Quiz 2014 (Hong Kong Section)

Chemistry committee members List 2013-2014

Name School

Dr. Bob Lui (Convenor) King’s College

Mr. Roi Wong Ho Lap College (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen)

Mr. Ben Ng HKASME

Mr. Tang Siu Lung DMHC Siu Ming Catholic Secondary School

Mr. Ho Ping Kuen Heung To Middle School

Mr. Lo Wai Cheong SKH Li Ping Secondary School

Mr. Alex Wong STFA Lee Shau Kee College

Mr. Andy Lee TWGHS Wong Fut Nam College

Ms. Tara Lam St. Paul’s Convent School

Ms. Victoria Wong Marymount Secondary School

Mr. Fung Wing Kei St. Paul’s Co-Educational College

Mr. Poon Chan Kwok HKASME

Mr. Or Choi Kuen Sai Kung Sung Tsun Catholic Secondary

School(Secondary Section)

Dr. Wong Chi Kit Cheung Sha Wah Catholic Secondary School

Mr. Lee Wai Hon, Chris PLK Celine Ho Yam Tong College

Mr. Mok Ming Wai Wah Yan College, Kowloon

Mr. Leung Pang Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial

College

Ms. Chuang Yung Ping Chinese Foundation Secondary School

2013 Oct Mailpack

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“Digichem” Video Production Competition for Hong Kong

Secondary Schools 2013

Results Announcement:

Junior Secondary Division

Champion: Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School

Title of Video: Ferice Water

First Runner-up: Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School

Title of Video: Fruitful Aroma

Second Runner-up: TWGHs Sun Hoi Directors’ College

Title of Video: When Miss Milk meets Mr Ginger

Merit: Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundaion College

Title of Video: Salt and Ice really can let things freezing faster? YES!

Merit: Po Leung Kuk Celine Ho Yam Tong College

Title of Video: 腸胃剋星 - 牛奶加酸果

Senior Secondary Division

Champion: Sha Tin Government Secondary School

Title of Vidio: 食-化學-食用油小知識

First Runner-up: King’s College

Title of Video: Alginate - A Magic Absorber for metal ions

Second Runner-up: Tsung Tsin College

Title of Video: 尋找蘋果不褐色的方法

Merit: King’s College

Title of Video: Plan Light Terror

Merit: Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College

Title of Video: Molecular Gastronomy = tricky & Expensive? NO!

2013 Oct Mailpack

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Biology Subject Year Plan

- Organizing science competitions to foster the learning and teaching moral of science.

- Building a one-stop platform for teachers to receive information from EDB, HKEAA,

tertiary institutions and other professional bodies to facilitate learning and teaching.

- Organizing gatherings for teachers to facilitate interflow of experiences.

- Keep on the purchasing quality teaching resources for fulfilling teachers’ needs.

- With involvement of other council members, discuss and look for different directions

for the Association development.

Biology Subject Committee Member 2013-2014

Mr. Li Chi Man, Jimmy (Convenor) YLPMSAA Tang Siu Tong Secondary School

Mr. Tong Ling Poon, Andrew Cheung Chuk Shan College

Ms. Chan Wing Man, Idy Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary school

Ms. Lee Hoi Man, Sarah Ho Lap College

Biology Subject News

Recruitment of Subject Committee members:

Interested co-workers may contact via: jimmylichiman@yahoo.com.hk.

((=====================))

Physics Subject Committee Member 2013-2014

Mr. Humphrey Lau (Convenor)

SKH Tang Siu Kin Secondary School

Mr. Lau Kwok Leung

TWGHS Wong Fung Ling College

Dr. Ng Pun Hon

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of HK

Mr. Cheng Chi Leung

HKASME

2013 Oct Mailpack

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Mathematics (2013-14)

Our mathematics subcommittee consists of a very enthusiastic group of teachers that participate in

various activities related to the Hong Kong Mathematics Education.

Our objectives include:

1. To promote Mathematics Education

2. To provide an environment for communication among mathematics colleagues.

3. To enhance professionalism in Mathematics Education.

We also work with the Education Bureau and other associations in organizing activities for secondary

Mathematics teachers as well as Mathematics competitions for students in Hong Kong. These activities

include:

The HK Youth Mathematical High Achievers Selection Contest

The Tuen Mun Inter-School Junior Secondary Mathematics Contest

Other Activities proposed for 2013-14 include:

- Mathematics Pedagogy Study Group

The Study Group is open to all members who are interested in round table discussion of issues

related to mathematics pedagogy, probably teaching ideas and resources for individual topics. The

group aims at meeting 3 to 5 times a year. This year, we will also explore collaboration with EDB

colleagues in developing and evaluating resources, which may involve try out by individual

members. These plans are subject to modification from actual participants in the group.

- Math Games

Experience sharing session. (Speakers from different schools.)

(a) Conducting Mathematics games effectively in classroom.

(b) Organizing Mathematics game competition in school.

- A mock exam on Paper II

A mock exam on Paper II will be organized for F.6 students in December and January. Only

members or member schools can enroll for their students in the mock exam. The mock exam will

be free of charge, and a report of the performances of the students will be given to schools by the

mid of February. Details of the arrangements will be announced in October.

- Seminars / Workshops for professional development of Math teachers

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Mathematics Committee members contact list 2013-2014

Name School

Mr Arthur Lee 李文生 The University of Hong Kong

香港大學

Mr Fung Tak Wah 馮德華 Queen Elizabeth School Old Students' Association

Secondary School 伊利沙伯中學舊生會中學

Mr. Cheng Wing Kuen 鄭永權 HKASME 香港數理教育學會

Mr. Lee Wing Yeong 李永楊 STFA Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School

順德聯誼總會鄭裕彤中學

Mr. Mak Kwok Cheung, John 麥國彰 La Salle College 喇沙書院

Ms. Tsui Kwan Yuk 徐崑玉 HKSYCIA Wong Tai Shan Memorial Secondary School

香港四邑商工總會黃棣珊紀念中學

Mr. Chow Lai Sum 周禮深 STFA Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School

順德聯誼總會鄭裕彤中學

Mr. Ng Tat Yeung 伍達洋 STFA Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School

順德聯誼總會鄭裕彤中學

Mr. Lee Kwok Chu 李國柱 Pui Ching Middle School

培正中學

Mr. Tam Chi Leung 譚志良 The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union

logos Academy 香港華人基督教聯會真道書院

Mr. Kwok Sze Chai 郭思齊 Queen Elizabeth School Old Students' Association

Secondary School 伊利沙伯中學舊生會中學

Ms Tsui Fung Ming 徐鳳嗚 Hon Wah College 漢華中學

Honorary Advisor

Prof. Siu Man Keung 蕭文強教授

For more information of the activities, please clicks the following links

http://edblog.hkedcity.net/asmemath/

https://www.facebook.com/SMEMATHS?ref=hl

2013 Oct Mailpack

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_________________________________________________________________________________

數學教學硏習小組 2013-14 年度第一次聚會

今次硏習主題是初中立體幾何。建議討論範圍包括：

教學重點是甚麼？

如何善用教具教材？

需要怎樣的教學法配合？

課程設計是否合適？

常見疑難及誤解？

我們會討論教育局提供的教材*，並鼓勵參加者跟進硏究，日後繼續交流。

希望過往有參與會員繼續支持，亦歡迎其他會員隨時加入。

* http://wlts.edb.hkedcity.net/tc/mathematics/index.html

數學教學硏習小組 2013-14 年度第一次聚會

日期：2013 年 10 月 11 日

時間：6:00pm – 8:00pm

地點：長沙灣天主教英文中學 218 室(長沙灣福榮街 533 號；長沙灣地鐵站 C2 出口)

截止報名日期： 2013 年 10 月 7 日

名額 : 30 人（先到先得，會員可獲優先）

費用 : 會員免費，非會員每位 50 元#

報名方法: 網上報名

#非會員需郵寄支票繳交費用，抬頭人寫 [香港數理教育學會有限公司] 或[HKASME LTD]，背

面請寫上閣下姓名及活動名稱並寄回香港數理教育學會，九龍深水埗保安道 1 號寶安閣 1 樓 114

室，若本會於截止報名日期前仍未收妥支票，則報名會被取消。

歡迎非會員即時申請入會，入會表格可在網上下載。

詳情請瀏覽網址: http://edblog.hkedcity.net/asmemath/

如有查詢，請致電 2333 0096 與香港數理教育學會朱小姐聯絡。

Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics Education

香港數理教育學會

RM 114, 1/F., PO ON COURT, 1 PO ON ROAD, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON, HONG KONG.

TEL: 2333 0096, 2333 7602 FAX: 2333 3355

E-mail: enquiry@hkasme.org Website: http://www.hkasme.org/

2013 Oct Mailpack

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General Science

We are a group of enthusiastic science teachers from different schools. We are all concerned about

science education development and we are worked with a heart for the betterment of science education

in Hong Kong. Welcome for joining as a sub-committee member to share your experise and teaching

experiences.

Science subcommittees

Mr. Wong Wing Kei, Stephen(Convenor) China Holiness Church Living Spirit

College

Mr. Leung Chung Kee, Kelvin

China Holiness Church Living Spirit

College

Miss Cheung Tung Ping Munsang college

Mr. Lui Ho Fai, Nick

Carmel Holy Word Secondary School

Miss Alice Lo

Pentecostal School

Mr. Ronald Chong China Holiness Church Living Spirit

College

Miss Wong Pui Pui

TWGHs Wong Fung Ling college

Advisor:

Mr. Wong Chi Kin

Mr. Pang Chi Chuen

Activities planned for the year 2013-2014

i. Science competition for primary students

ii. Gifted & Talented students' competition for junior science

iii. Technology and renewable energy events for primary students in Shamshuipo District ,

co-organize with HKSYCIA Wong Tai Shan Memorial College

iv. Teachers sharing and lesson observations

v. Carbon trading game(teng hoi conservation organization )