Some students demonstrate exceptional academic aptitude, creativity, intelligence or talents in arts or sports. They are generally referred to as “gifted students”, though there is no universal definition of “giftedness”. While every gifted student excels in a different way, creating a stimulating environment and deploying appropriate resources to meet their learning needs are key to unleashing their potential.

To provide opportunities for Secondary 3 to 5 students to have an early taste of university life and develop interests in their talented areas, the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) and the Department of Mathematics of College of Science (CSCI) of CityU jointly presented the “Advanced Talent Education Programme for Gifted Students in Hong Kong” from May 2020 to January 2021, with the support of Education Bureau’s Gifted Education Fund (GEF). Participants were nominated by school principals, teachers, and the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE), and have gone through a selection test to be admitted.

It is a three-phase programme featuring an array of STEM-enriched activities, which enhance students’ the visuospatial abilities, as well as experiential activities and technology-based psychological assessment for fostering their affective development. It was kicked off by a seminar with representatives from the Gifted Education Section of the Education Bureau, Dean of CLASS Professor Richard M WALKER, then Dean of CSCI and now Vice President (Student Affairs) Professor Raymond CHAN, and Executive Director of HKAGE Professor NG Tai-kai as guests, in May 2020.

The second phase encompassed four full-day advanced mathematics and 3D modelling lectures, one full-day talent psychology session, and one half-day integrated workshop with both mathematics and affective education elements. Upon completing phase two held from June to August 2020, around one-third of the students were selected for the third phase.

The third phase required students to complete special projects on mathematical modelling problems, such as coronavirus model, financial options model, heat conduction, fluid flows and others, providing them with a research project-based learning experience. In the course of the three-month project period, students also attended 3D workshops to advance their knowledge and kept contact with CityU academics who offered mentoring and support.

Though an originally planned showcase was cancelled due to the pandemic, it is without doubt that the participants have achieved a great deal and taken home new mathematical knowledge, affective skills, and academic skills. Both departments are satisfied with the outcome of the programme.