The concept of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is an increasingly popular trend in education. The latest Chief Executive policy address stated that the government would foster STEAM education “for all, for fun and for diversity” in all primary and secondary schools. Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong (The Association) has been ahead of the game on this – as early as 2018, we envisioned the future importance of STEAM education and organised an annual STEAM education programme in partnership with Dah Sing Bank Limited (Dah Sing Bank), and 2022 marked the fifth successive year of the partnership. This year, we ran an “Unmanned Drone STEAM Training Programme”, providing local students with basic instruction in drone programming and how to conduct an aerial light show.
(From right) Judging the final were Mr Cliff Chan Wai-kin, Executive Director and Group Head of Wealth Management at Dah Sing Bank; Mr Karl Lau Chun-chuen, General Secretary of the Association; and Mr Clive Wan, Co-Founder of Ask Idea (HK) Limited (Partner of DJI Education).
The seven-month programme came to an end on 12 November with the competition finals and a drone light show that illuminated the closing ceremony at our Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village’s Grand Hall. Judging the final were Mr Cliff Chan Wai-kin, Executive Director and Group Head of Wealth Management at Dah Sing Bank; Mr Karl Lau Chun-chuen, General Secretary of the Association; and Mr Clive Wan, Co-Founder of Ask Idea (HK) Limited (Partner of DJI Education).
The students showed off their accomplishments in the final.
This exhilarating programme spanned three phases: an intensive drone mentorship class for secondary school students; and a drone interest class and drone show competition for primary school students. In phase one, 21 students from 11 secondary schools completed a 12-hour hybrid course combining online and face-to-face classes which covered unmanned aircraft theory, tracking and positioning, auto flight logic, light effects, drone programming, and other concepts. In phase two, these students became instructors in a 12-hour drone show programming course given to 80 senior primary school pupils. All students enjoyed the learning process, especially the drone show competition that allowed them to show off their accomplishments.
Eight teams from the Association’s social service centres – Tin Shui Wai Tin Chak Centre, Hin Keng Centre, Chai Wan Centre, and Kornhill Centre – made the final and got to showcase their drone flying talents, with Team Hin Keng being crowned champions. All students and parents also voted for their favourite team, with Team Kornhill taking the title.
For more on the programme and the closing ceremony, see our press release.
Mr Timmy Lee Tan-chun M.H., a member of the government’s Youth Development Commission, visited the Association on 29 October and conducted an in-depth discussion with 17 youth from the Association’s Youth Council, University & College YMCA, Brilliant Multicultural Centre, and IYS Kornhill Centre. The discussion covered a variety of social issues in six major categories: physical and emotional wellness, education, employment and careers, housing, civic engagement and social cohesion, and environmental conservation and sustainability. These young representatives of the Association took the opportunity to express their views and offer interesting and inspiring policy recommendations.
Mr Lee responded to the representatives individually, gaining a better perspective of their views in this candid, comprehensive conversation. He also asked for their support for government reform, stressing that youth policy is one of Hong Kong’s pillars and that he hoped to see more youth participation in social affairs. The Association will continue to play our unique role and act as a bridge between the government and young people. We are committed to making youth voices heard in every social sector, and to building a better Hong Kong together.
Recently, the Association’s Counselling Unit introduced a new course: the “Beginner’s Guide to Healing Emotional Trauma Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Art Intervention”. This four-session training course helps would-be counsellors learn to examine clients’ emotional states through the lens of trauma to help them build resources and live in the present. The course uses an acceptance and commitment therapy approach to the material, focusing on creative arts as an intervention.
Date: Tuesdays in Jan 2023: 1, 10, 17, and 31
Time: 7:00pm – 9:45pm
Place: 8 Floor, Chung Kiu Commercial Building, 47-51 Shan Tung Street, Mongkok
Target audience: Social workers, practitioners or anyone interested in counselling
Cost: $2,000 or $1,800 for early birds who book on or before 10 December
Instructor: Ms Esther Yip Sze-nga, Counsellor and Registered Social Worker. Ms Yip has the following qualifications:
· Certified Marriage and Family Therapist
· Master of Arts in Christian Studies (Pastoral Studies and Counselling), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
· Master of Social Work, The University of Hong Kong
· MBTI Practitioner
· NLP Certified Practitioner
· Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Certification
· Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Level I and II
· Eight-week course on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
· Training-in-progress in International Expressive Arts Therapy Certification
Register online: https://forms.gle/CJoVQThQiVSTw7Sz6
Course content:
1. Understanding emotional responses to traumatic events
2. Case studies in need assessment based on acceptance and commitment therapy
3. Resource-building for clients using mediation, creative arts and personal growth
Please call 2332 4899 for any inquiries.
The YMCA’s Bridges Street Centre opened its doors on 20 November as one of the historic buildings in the “Heritage Vogue‧Hollywood Road 2022” initiative, organised by the Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the government’s Development Bureau. Built in 1918, the Bridges Street Centre, originally called the Central Building, was Hong Kong’s first indoor recreational and sports facility in Sheung Wan and featured a sports hall, swimming pool, suspended circular running track, grand hall, gym room, canteen, and hostel. In 2009, it was listed as Grade 1 Historic Building by the Antiquities Advisory Board.
On the opening day, this beautiful building was buzzing with a swarm of visitors. Our trained guides held Bridges Street heritage tours, showing visitors around the building and helping them discover YMCA services. From Hong Kong’s first heated indoor pool, to the unique hundred-year-old suspended circular wood track, to the public hall with its memories of renowned writer Lu Xun, this tour was both a reminiscence and a glimpse into the YMCA’s transformation over the years. The Association’s Harmonica Orchestra and Chinese Orchestra, founded in 1941 and 1969 respectively, gave several performances at the Centre’s front door. This was an excellent opportunity to show the public how, during our over 120 years, we have been striving for innovation and empowering the youth of Hong Kong to pass the torch from generation to generation.
Urban dwellers who often work overtime or in perpetual repetitive motion, are more susceptible to joint pain or sports injuries that affect their quality of life. Therefore, Health Care Professions Department has launched a regular monthly column and published short articles about self-care on arthritis, joint pain and self-healing. If you would like to acquire more health-related information, please visit our website www.ymca.org.hk/hcp or call 2783 3616 for inquiry.
Remedy for shoulder and neck pain (Part 2)
Last month, we mentioned how to mobilise our thoracic joint. After so, it is vital to strengthen our back muscles, so that they are strong enough to sustain upright postures.
We would like to share a rowing exercise for back strengthening:
First, sit tall as if you were pushing your head all the way to the ceiling (as shown in picture 1). Keep elbow in 90 degree throughout the exercise; push your elbows backward just like rowing a boat (as shown in picture 2) until you feel your scapula squeezed together. Hold it for 10 seconds for 10 repetitions and repeat it 2 to 3 times.
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