HONG KONG, Aug. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- While many students are still making their final preparations for the new school year, more than 350 student members of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE, or the Academy) have already embarked on a distinctive start to their learning year. The Academy held three sessions of "Programme Showcase Day 2026" on 28 and 29 August, offering a diverse range of programme experiences that allowed student members to explore the Academy's various gifted education courses for the coming year – covering areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), astronomy, environmental science, forensic science, art, and creative writing – thereby embarking on a new year of gifted learning.

Several top education leaders were invited to serve as officiating guests, including Dr LAM Tat Ho Lander, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Gifted Education) of the Education Bureau; Prof WOO Kam Tim, Chairperson of the Talent Development Committee; and Principal WAN Shuk Fan Suki, Chairperson of the School and Student Services Committee. Drawing on their own rich learning and teaching experiences, they encouraged student members to discover their personal interests and potential, and to actively embrace the learning challenges ahead.

Diverse Programmes Inspire Members to Explore Their Interests

To enable students to explore different learning domains before the start of the new school year, seven themed interactive booths were set up for the Programme Showcase Day. Student members explored different classrooms at the Academy, engaging in hands-on interactive learning activities in a lively atmosphere:

• "Young Astronomers: Discover the Night Sky!" – themed around astronomy and stargazing, participants were guided in using telescopes, star charts, and smart telescopes to learn about constellations, celestial motion, and the movements of the Moon and planets, sparking their curiosity about astronomy;

• "AI Arms in Action: Innovation for Social Good" – showcased student members' designs and creations from AI programmes, where participants could input commands on the spot to control robotic arms to identify and move objects, experiencing first-hand the application of AI technology. Senior students shared with their peers how the programmes integrate knowledge from AI, engineering, biomechanics, and product design, as well as their visits to elderly centres, explaining how they use creativity, knowledge, and technology to design innovative solutions for seniors and other people in need, improving quality of life through technology;

• Other booths included "Inclusive Storybook Corner" – related to art and creative expression, where participants experienced using picture books and experiential games to promote the concept of inclusion in the community; "Forensic Science in Fiber Analysis" – learning to explore forensic science knowledge through experiments, inquiry, and hands-on activities; "Environmental Science: Guardians of Our Urban Wildlife" – an environmental science programme exploring Hong Kong's forest history, seed dispersal mechanisms, and field studies on native tree planting; and "Maker Workshop" – an innovation and technology programme covering the entire process from design and fabrication to the use of various tools.

At the opening ceremony, Dr LAM Tat Ho Lander, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Gifted Education) of the Education Bureau; Prof WOO Kam Tim, Chairperson of the Talent Development Committee; and Principal WAN Shuk Fan Suki, Chairperson of the School and Student Services, each delivered a speech encouraging students to seize learning opportunities, expand their knowledge, enhance their capabilities, and unleash their creativity, so as to become future talents who possess both moral integrity and a sense of social responsibility.

The three guests pointed out that in an era of rapid AI development and rapid technological advancement, students should not only build a solid knowledge foundation, but also cultivate innovative thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They should learn to make good use of technology and integrate knowledge across disciplines, so as to play to their strengths and contribute to the community in the future development of society and the global community.

Mr WONG Chung Po, Acting Executive Director of the HKAGE, said that through the Programme Showcase Day, the Academy hopes to offer student members a first-hand experience of the unique appeal of its gifted education programmes. By providing learning opportunities beyond the regular school curriculum, the Academy aims to ignite the passion for learning among gifted students. Through the provision of learning platform for student members, the Academy assists them in discovering their potential and enables them to plan ahead to enrol in their preferred gifted programmes at the earliest opportunity.

About the HKAGE
Established in 2008 and subvented by the Education Bureau, the HKAGE offers gifted education services actively to local primary and secondary school students to unleash their potential. It also provides gifted education-related information and support for teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders.