Abstract:

Topic: STEM Education: Future Economic Prosperity for a Digital City

Hong Kong is an inspirational place to live and work. One dimension to this dynamism is reflected in the vision of Hong Kong being a digital city. As steps are taken to make this vision a reality, Hong Kong must remain forward thinking and innovative. For this to happen, tomorrow��s businesses require among other things, a future workforce that is adept at creating, collaborating, communicating and thinking critically. Achieving this kind of human resource depends on education. Unfortunately most schools today are not designed to equip students with these ��21st century skills��. Constrained by an out of date educational model forged during the Industrial Revolution, schooling continues to value conformity over ingenuity. This presentation imagines how schools could redesign their curriculum, pedagogy, leadership, and learning environment to meet the needs of the next generation. As the rapid pace of technological change continues to shape our society, the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are going to play an increasingly important role in the future of our schools, as well as the world of work. Data suggests an investment in educational innovation would truly be an investment in Hong Kong��s future.