On March 16, 2024, the referee and coach training session for the "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection)", jointly organized by the Hong Kong Science Popularization and Science Fiction Academy (HKSPSF) and Datong Publishing Media Co., Ltd., co-organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and hosted by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, was successfully held. The event was also supported by Sino United Electronic Publishing Ltd.
This training session aimed to escort the upcoming "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection)". Following the national strategic instructions on accelerating the construction of a maritime power, a talent power, and a science and technology power, the HKSPSF, under the guidance of the National Center for Science and Technology Communication, actively responded to the call of the "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge" series of activities co-sponsored by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the Chinese Society of Oceanography, and was entrusted by the Organizing Committee of the National Competition of the Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge to organize the "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge" in Hong Kong and Macau. The competition is dedicated to promoting science popularization in Hong Kong and Macau, promoting exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong, Macau and the Mainland, and cultivating future innovative talents in unmanned systems and smart ocean technology.
The training session gathered more than 60 professionals from the education and technology sectors in Hong Kong and Macau to jointly explore the development of marine science and technology education in Hong Kong and Macau. Through thematic lectures, experience sharing, and practical operations, it provided comprehensive professional knowledge and skill training for the chief referees and coaches of this competition, aiming to cultivate a high-quality team of chief referees and coaches to ensure the professionalism and fairness of the Hong Kong and Macau Selection.
As the debut in Hong Kong and Macau, the "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection)" also received strong support from many units, including the Science Popularization Education Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association, the Youth Work Committee of the Chinese Society of Oceanography, Datong Publishing Media Co., Ltd. (a member of Bauhinia Culture Group), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Science Fiction Committee of the China Science Film and Video Association, the Science Fiction Creation Research Base of the China Science Writers Association, the Industrial and Science Fiction Film and Television Expert Committee, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the National Science Popularization Education Base of the University of Macau, the Center for Science and Engineering Promotion of the University of Macau, Yau Tsim Mong Youths Society, Lai Chack Middle School, The Society of Operations Engineers (Hong Kong Region), The Macao Institution of Engineers, Sino United Electronic Publishing Ltd., Education Convergence, The Association of Chinese Middle Schools in Hong Kong, The Association of English Medium Secondary Schools, The Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, Pui En Christian Primary School, Science and Fantasy Growth Foundation, National Children's Science Fiction Alliance, Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, New Territories School Heads Association, Hong Kong Tong School Council, and The Hong Kong Association for Computer Education.
This training session was not only the debut of the 2024 "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection)" series of activities, but also marked an important step for Hong Kong and Macau in the field of marine science and technology education. The theme of this training session was "Caring for the Ocean, Protecting the Blue Homeland with Science and Technology Innovation", highlighting the important role of marine technology in global environmental protection and sustainable development.
Figure 1: Chen Liuqi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Science Popularization Education Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association and Founder of HKSPSF, introduced the event
Figure 2: Li Jiaxuan, Yau Tsim Mong District Councilor and Director of HKSPSF, hosted the meeting
Figure 3: Ma Juanjuan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Science Popularization Education Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association and Deputy Director of the Youth Work Committee of the Chinese Society of Oceanography, gave a keynote speech titled "Discovering the Beautiful Ocean, Guarding the Blue Homeland"
Figure 4: Director Li Minyi, Head of the Textbook and Teaching Aids Working Group of Datong Publishing Media Co., Ltd. under Bauhinia Culture Group, gave a keynote speech titled "Experience Sharing for Coaches and Referees of the Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge"
(Figure 5: Group photo of event participants (chief referees) and online and offline sharing guests)
The training session began with an event introduction by Chen Liuqi, followed by Li Jiaxuan hosting the meeting. Ma Juanjuan gave a keynote speech titled "Discovering the Beautiful Ocean, Guarding the Blue Homeland". She profoundly expounded on the significance of the ocean to the earth's ecosystem and the responsibility each of us shoulders in maintaining this vast blue field, explained in detail the cutting-edge technology and application of underwater unmanned systems, and inspired every listener at the scene to actively participate in marine protection actions through her deep affection for marine ecology. Director Li Minyi used practical experience as a starting point to give a keynote speech on "Experience Sharing for Coaches and Referees of the Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge" for the participants. She shared the valuable refereeing experience accumulated in the youth underwater robot competition, and introduced key elements such as competition rules, judging essentials, and talent selection strategies in depth. Her wonderful sharing not only deepened the participants' understanding of underwater unmanned system technology but also provided practical guides and strategic suggestions for the coach and referee teams, thereby enhancing the participants' practical operation skills and innovative thinking.
In the workshop session, Xiong Liwen, editor of the Textbook and Teaching Aids Working Group of Datong Publishing Media Co., Ltd., gave theoretical guidance and practical operation skills explanations to the chief referees and coaches. Participants experienced the construction process of the underwater unmanned system, completed its assembly and debugging work, and performed operation experience, gaining valuable practical experience. These project-based learning activities not only enhanced the professional skills of the competition chief referees and coaches but also deepened their deep understanding of underwater unmanned system technology.
Figure 6: Xiong Liwen, editor of the Textbook and Teaching Aids Working Group of Datong Publishing Media Co., Ltd., gave theoretical guidance and practical operation skills explanations to the chief referees and coaches
Figure 7: Explanation of practical operation skills
The successful conduct of this training session not only provided improvements in professional knowledge and skills for participating referees and coaches but also laid a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the upcoming 2024 "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection)". Tang Wanjing, Zhang Huiming, Kuan Chun, and Li Zan of HKSPSF provided strong behind-the-scenes support for the smooth progress of the event. At the end of the training session, Li Jiaxuan said, "In the future, HKSPSF will continue to work hands in hands with partners from all walks of life to further stimulate teenagers' interest in marine science and cultivate them into future talents with interdisciplinary integration and innovation through richer training, seminars, and competition activities."
Figure 8: Group photo of the event
This "Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection)" will provide students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of marine technology, master scientific methods, build systematic thinking, and inherit the scientist spirit. The registration channel for the competition will remain open until March 28, 2024. Welcome primary and secondary schools to actively organize students to sign up and participate, grasping this excellent opportunity to demonstrate innovative spirit and technological capabilities. To learn more about the competition, please visit the competition website https://www.hkspsf.hk/2024seaperch. For inquiries, please welcome WhatsApp or call (852) 5975 7422, (852) 5547 3074 to contact the Secretariat of the Organizing Committee of the Underwater Unmanned Systems Challenge (Hong Kong & Macau Selection).
[Editor: Li Zan, HKSPSF]