2013 Oct Mailpack
1
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
2
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.
2013 Oct Mailpack
3
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 )
2013 Oct Mailpack
4
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 [email protected].
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!!!
2013 Oct Mailpack
5
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
2013 Oct Mailpack
6
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).
2013 Oct Mailpack
7
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.
2013 Oct Mailpack
8
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
9
“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
10
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: [email protected].
((=====================))
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
11
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
2013 Oct Mailpack
12
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
13
_________________________________________________________________________________
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: [email protected] Website: http://www.hkasme.org/
2013 Oct Mailpack
14
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 )