In April 2024, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Department of Geography, in partnership with the Scout Association of Hong Kong, successfully convened a landmark educational event titled "Extreme Weather and Sustainable Development." The gathering, held on the university campus, brought together an audience of approximately 300 secondary school students, educators, and members of the public, united by a shared urgency to deepen their understanding of climate science and catalyze grassroots climate action. This collaborative initiative underscored the rising prominence of interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary environmental challenges, integrating geographical sciences with cutting-edge STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education methodologies.
At the core of the event was an innovative workshop that fused hands-on scientific inquiry with the vital imperatives of sustainable urban development. Participants engaged in the do-it-yourself assembly of programmable, portable meteorological instruments designed to collect high-resolution microclimate spatial data across the HKU campus. These devices enabled young learners to directly explore phenomena such as the urban heat island effect—an increasingly understood but complex consequence of urbanization where metropolitan zones exhibit significantly elevated temperatures compared with surrounding rural areas due to human activities and infrastructure density. This immersive, experiential learning moment was led by Mr. Jeffrey Chang, a doctoral candidate at HKU’s Department of Geography, who emphasized the integration of citizen science principles and geographical information systems in fostering environmental literacy.
The keynote address delivered by Ms. Lee Shuk Ming, Senior Scientific Officer at the Hong Kong Observatory, provided a critically important synthesis of recent extreme weather events impacting the region. She highlighted the intensification of typhoons, heatwaves, and sudden rainfall patterns as unmistakable indicators of accelerating climate change, underscoring the dual necessity of mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation strategies to bolster community resilience. Her presentation was a compelling call to action that framed empirical climatological data within an accessible narrative for youth and educators alike, stressing the importance of real-time environmental monitoring and policy-driven scientific research.
Professor Lam Yun Fat Nicky from HKU’s Department of Geography complemented this perspective by spotlighting the transformative potential of integrating STEAM education and citizen science within mainstream pedagogy. He advocated for student-centered, inquiry-driven learning environments that empower youth to interrogate environmental data and develop critical thinking skills essential for climate literacy. His vision articulated a paradigm shift in education, moving beyond rote learning toward participatory frameworks where students become co-producers of knowledge and active agents in sustainability advocacy.
Further enriching the discourse, a symposium assembled leading figures from meteorological science and education sectors. Notable participants included Professor Lam Chiu Ying, SBS and former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, alongside representatives from gifted education and nature learning centers. This diversity of expertise facilitated a multi-dimensional examination of meteorological education’s role within Hong Kong’s evolving curricular frameworks. Discussions gravitated toward identifying systemic challenges and seizing emergent opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, particularly in embedding STEAM approaches to deepen youth engagement with sustainability concepts.
Throughout the symposium, speakers emphasized that combating the climate crisis transcends traditional academic boundaries. They championed the integration of climate action into daily life, highlighting how lifestyle modifications—ranging from dietary choices to transportation habits—can cumulatively yield meaningful environmental benefits. In this respect, the deployment of educational technologies and accessible data visualizations presented promising avenues to cultivate not only knowledge but empathy among students, fostering a holistic appreciation for the complex interdependencies within Earth systems.
The educational event served as a milestone model for how secondary schools can adopt experiential learning strategies that emphasize the synergy between geography and STEAM disciplines. By situating learning in real-world contexts and encouraging active participation, this framework cultivated a deeper understanding of climate dynamics and sustainability challenges unique to urban environments such as Hong Kong. It showcased how academic institutions and community organizations can collaborate to create multidisciplinary learning ecosystems that resonate with youth and inspire civic engagement.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Scout Association of Hong Kong’s Meteorology Team, the event featured a rich program that included the 4th Scout Meteorology Day, workshops on portable weather stations, a Geography x STEAM-themed symposium, student innovation exhibitions, and a STEAM poster competition. These activities collectively provided a robust platform for students to showcase creativity and scientific rigor, while simultaneously reinforcing core concepts related to extreme weather phenomena, urban microclimates, and broader climate change science.
The Department of Geography at HKU, founded in 1931, remains a venerable institution dedicated to advancing geographical scholarship and sustainable development. Its academic portfolio spans human and physical geography, encompassing urban planning, regional development in China, geomorphology, hydrology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The department’s research infrastructure, including specialized laboratories and Hong Kong’s largest map library, supports a vibrant intellectual community of over 3,500 undergraduate and 1,100 postgraduate alumni. This legacy forms the backbone of HKU’s commitment to educating globally minded and locally attuned geographic experts poised to tackle environmental and societal challenges.
The interdisciplinary educational event at HKU represents a forward-thinking convergence of scientific rigor, pedagogical innovation, and community empowerment. By equipping the next generation with technical skills and environmental consciousness, it aims to instill a culture of proactive climate stewardship. As climate change continues to reshape global landscapes, initiatives combining detailed meteorological data collection, STEAM-based inquiry, and cross-sector dialogue are increasingly essential to building resilient and sustainable cities.
In summary, the "Extreme Weather and Sustainable Development" event exemplified how universities can serve as incubators for innovative education that bridges scientific research and practical action. Such integrative models are vital to nurturing a climate-literate youth population capable of responding to the planetary exigencies of the 21st century. Hong Kong’s example underscores the universal importance of fostering collaborative networks between academia, government institutions, educators, and civil society in the shared pursuit of sustainability and resilience.
Subject of Research: Extreme weather events, climate change education, urban heat island effect, sustainable development, citizen science, STEAM education integration
Article Title: Extreme Weather and Sustainable Development: An Interdisciplinary Education Initiative at The University of Hong Kong
News Publication Date: April 13, 2024
Web References: Not provided
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Image Credits: The University of Hong Kong
Keywords: Sustainable development, Geography, Climate change education, Urban heat island effect, STEAM education, Citizen science, Meteorology, Environmental literacy, Climate resilience
