Junior Secondary Biotechnology Curriculum — A School-based Three-tier Gifted Education Programme Connecting Primary, Secondary Schools and Universities

Overview

Being one of the three pillars of STEM development, biotechnology has been a key area of development in this school. A biotechnology laboratory has been renovated, equipped with advanced apparatus to facilitate students’ learning. Following the Three-tier Gifted Education Implementation Model, biotechnology topics are incorporated into our regular curriculum. Students learn bacteria culture, antibiotics, genetics, and DNAs in the science lessons. Gifted students are spotted and invited to join the school’s research team, where they are engaged in advanced experiments and investigations under teachers’ guidance. They are also invited to take part in projects collaborated with local universities. Such opportunities not only extend students learning, but also offer a chance for students to broaden their horizons and think deeper in their life planning. On the other hand, gifted students are also trained to be instructors in the taster programmes designed for primary schools. Through these experiences, gifted students are able to learn soft skills like commitment, communication and empathy, which cannot be easily taught in lessons. In this seminar, the speakers will also share how their school aspires to nurture more scientists for the future with these connections with universities and primary schools.