On April 20, 2024, the preliminary and training activities of the "SeaPerch Challenge (Hong Kong and Macau Selection)", jointly hosted 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, and supported by Lai Chack Middle School, were successfully held at Lai Chack Middle School. Nearly 100 participating teams from Hong Kong and over 400 teachers and students attended. This event aims to stimulate young students' interest in marine science, test the learning outcomes of ocean knowledge, and promote their exploration and practice in the field of scientific and technological innovation, laying a theoretical and practical foundation for the upcoming finals of the Hong Kong and Macau Selection.
Figure 1: Written test site of the preliminary round of "SeaPerch Challenge (Hong Kong and Macau Selection)"
This preliminary round adopted a written test format, mainly examining the contestants' understanding and knowledge accumulation of marine science. In addition, interactive sessions such as practical training and teacher exchanges were arranged during the preliminary round, aiming to provide a platform for mutual learning and reference, allowing participating teams to deepen their understanding of marine science knowledge and underwater unmanned systems through practice and exchange, and inspire innovation.
Figures 2-5: Modification and debugging of underwater unmanned systems
Chen Liuqi, founder of HKSPSF and Deputy Secretary-General of the Science Popularization Education Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association, said, "The preliminary round and training activities of this SeaPerch Challenge (Hong Kong and Macau Selection) aim to promote teaching and learning through competitions, and enhance the participating teams' theoretical level and practical ability in marine science and underwater unmanned system technology. By creating a learning atmosphere that encourages scientific exploration and technological innovation, we help youth science and technology education and career development, and promote the high-quality development of the Hong Kong and Macau regions on the global technological innovation stage."
Figure 6: Exchange among teachers of participating teams
Figure 7: Simulation competition
Figures 8-11: Group photos of participating teams
The upcoming "SeaPerch Challenge (Hong Kong and Macau Selection)" is the first selection competition organized in the Hong Kong and Macau regions by HKSPSF under the guidance of the National Communication Center for Science and Technology, actively responding to the call of the "SeaPerch Challenge" series of activities jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the Chinese Society for Oceanography, and entrusted by the National Organizing Committee. With underwater unmanned systems as the core, the competition aims to stimulate teenagers' interest in marine technology, impart scientific methods, build systematic thinking, conveying the spirit of scientists, and discover and cultivate future innovative talents in unmanned systems and smart ocean technology. In just one month, it attracted the enthusiastic participation of more than 140 teams from primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong and Macau, and received positive responses from nearly 10 representative teams from various cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with enthusiastic social response. As the debut in the Hong Kong and Macau regions, the "SeaPerch Challenge (Hong Kong and Macau Selection)" has also received strong support from many units, including the Science Popularization Education Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association, the Youth Working Committee of the Chinese Society for Oceanography, Datong Publishing Media Co., Ltd. (a member of Bauhinia Culture Group), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Science Fiction Creation Research Base of the China Science Writers Association, the Science Fiction Committee of the China Science Film and Video 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, the Yau Tsim Mong Youth Society, Lai Chack Middle School, the Society of Operations Engineers (Hong Kong Region), The Macau Institution of Engineers, United Electronics Publishing Ltd, Education Convergence, The Association of Chinese Middle Schools of Hong Kong, The Association of English Medium Secondary Schools, The Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, the National Children's Science Fiction Alliance, the Science and Fantasy Growth Foundation, the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, the New Territories School Heads Association, the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, and the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education.
[Editor: Li Zan, HKSPSF]