Po Leung Kuk Chu Chong Middle School Claims Grand Champion at 59th Joint School Science Exhibition
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago3 MIN
Summary
The 59th Joint School Science Exhibition (J.S.S.E.) drew to a close on August 24 at the Hong Kong Central Library Lecture Hall after a seven-day run from August 18 . The event, themed "Luminance," brought together 22 top secondary school teams from across Hong Kong in fierce competition . First-time entrant Po Leung Kuk Chu Chong Middle School clinched the Grand Championship with their innovative pharmaceutical waste recycling system, while St. Joseph's College took First Runner-up and Cheung Chuk Shan English School secured Third Place . The Guest of Honor, Dr. Leung Tim, author of the popular "Sherlock Holmes" series, urged students to become "real scientists" rather than "exam machines" . The exhibition, now in its 59th year, is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee next year .
Key Points
- Grand Champion: Po Leung Kuk Chu Chong Middle School's "Pharm-E-Co" uses YOLO AI vision algorithms to automatically identify pharmaceuticals, then deactivates them through activated carbon injection and automatic stirring to prevent water contamination and superbug proliferation
- Principal Chiu Man-ho, who led his school to victory, was himself a participant 27 years ago at the 32nd edition of the same exhibition—a remarkable quarter-century arc of educational legacy
- Cheung Chuk Shan English School's portable rapid test strip for Campylobacter jejuni costs under HK$5 per strip and under HK$20 for the complete kit, with shelf life extended from hours to months using proprietary dry powder technology
- St. Joseph's College developed "MagSorb" using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with activated carbon coating to adsorb organic water pollutants, with plans to collaborate with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
- Sha Tin Chiu Sheung School Jiangsu and Shanghai's "SynchroSway" invention, featuring a smart balance chair and smart glasses, won both the Most Popular Booth and Best Presenter awards, with presenter Chan Nok-hin receiving special recognition
Why It Matters
The exhibition showcases Hong Kong's young talent tackling genuine societal challenges, from pharmaceutical pollution to food safety threats, demonstrating that student innovation can achieve commercial-ready solutions with global applications . The presence of a grassroots school defeating traditional elite institutions underscores how STEM education is democratizing access to scientific excellence, while the 60th anniversary milestone signals a maturing platform for Hong Kong's future innovators and researchers .
The exhibition showcases Hong Kong's young talent tackling genuine societal challenges, from pharmaceutical pollution to food safety threats, demonstrating that student innovation can achieve commercial-ready solutions with global applications . The presence of a grassroots school defeating traditional elite institutions underscores how STEM education is democratizing access to scientific excellence, while the 60th anniversary milestone signals a maturing platform for Hong Kong's future innovators and researchers .