ECzone Article “Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School - Combining STEM Education and Technology with the concept of "Rejuvenating the country through Science and Education”.
As our society is on the road to recovery from the epidemic, the overall learning of students has also returned to the pace of diversified development. In recent years, the Hong Kong government has been vigorously promoting STEAM education in the education sector, and headmasters and teachers have been actively working towards this goal. Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School provides students with a unique technology learning programme based on the concept of “Rejuvenating the country through Science and Education”. The school has set up the first AEROSTEM-themed Learning Centre in Hong Kong, which combines STEM education and aviation technology. Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School is equipped with an Australian Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (ACASA) certified 1:1 DA-40 two-seater flight simulator, which is an innovative way to help students build up their interest in STEM education and practice related knowledge. For example, students learn to design real flight routes using the most advanced navigation software and systems developed by Boeing Aircraft manufacturer, which require them to complete a series of lessons using physics, meteorology, geography, mathematics, and positive values of perseverance and responsibility.
The school's AEROSTEM programme starts with "inspiring" students' interest in aeronautical knowledge. In the junior secondary STEM education programme, students learn basic aeronautical knowledge including science, Geography, English language, Mathematics and Values (including hard work, perseverance and responsibility). After passing the assessment, students can continue to enrol in the Qualifications Framework programmes offered by the Hong Kong Productivity Council and obtain the relevant government certificates. Senior students can also go overseas (Australia) to participate in real flight training to fly a new single-engine small aircraft with professional instructors, so that students can practise what they have learnt in school about aerospace technology in a real aircraft cockpit setting, thus enabling them to take a step forward in their studies.
In addition, the school also provides students with future aerospace science and technology learning or related training programmes, forming a diversified and one-stop platform for overseas higher education institutions. Students can choose to study courses related to aerospace technology and aerospace engineering, which will prepare them to become important members of the future aerospace industry, and create a new world for them in terms of their career planning choices.
Dr. Frederick Cheung
Principal, Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School
