Year 7 students enjoyed an inspiring and thought-provoking visit to the Living Lab at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where they explored how technology, creativity and collaboration can be used to address some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges.

Throughout the day, students participated in a range of hands-on activities led by HKUST staff and students, gaining insight into the innovative technologies being developed to create a more sustainable future. One highlight was learning about the university's approach to renewable energy. Students discovered how nano-coating technology, originally developed through scientific experiments on campus windows, is being used on solar panels to reduce dust accumulation, improve efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

The visit also showcased practical solutions to reducing waste on a large university campus. With around 20,000 students, staff and visitors using the campus each day, managing resources efficiently is a significant challenge. Students learned how HKUST uses technology to minimise food waste and encourage reusable lunch containers, with users receiving a deposit refund through the Octopus payment system when they return their lunchboxes after meals.

A particularly memorable part of the visit was meeting ICHK alumnus Marcus Ko, who recently graduated from HKUST with a degree in Computer Science, and Angus Cheung, who has just graduated from CUHK and is embarking on his path to become a lawyer. It was great seeing them both!

Students were also inspired by the story of Peter, a computer scientist who was born blind and went on to study at the University of Cambridge before working with Microsoft to develop technologies that make computers more accessible for people with visual impairments.

Inspired by these examples, our students took part in their own design-thinking activities, brainstorming creative ways to improve everyday objects and exploring how technology can be used to solve real-world problems.

Students left with a deeper understanding of sustainability, innovation and the power of creative thinking. We are hoping to continue developing our partnership with HKUST and look forward to future opportunities for collaboration, particularly as the university expands its work in biodiversity and environmental sustainability.