JSI Workshops offered in 2024-25

JSI0080
Can Artificial Intelligence Be Creative?

Teacher: Professor Rachel LUI, Faculty of Science
Level: F.4 - F.5

Machines can simulate human intelligence, think like humans, and mimic their actions. But can machines engage in creative activities? In this workshop, we will investigate whether machines can create by painting pictures and composing songs using Artificial Intelligence.

JSI0115 ^New
Coral Biology and Reef Restoration 

Teacher: Dr Phil THOMPSON, School of Biological Sciences (SWIMS)
Level: F.4 - F.6

This workshop will begin with a morning session of rotating, small-group workshops where participants will learn about coral biology and ecology, symbiosis, morphologies, and local species identification. Following lunch, the afternoon session will involve a collective workshop on coral fragmentation and nursery building within the outdoor mesocosms at the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS).

JSI0119 ^New
Sustainable Food Solutions: Rethink, Reduce, And Reuse 

Teacher: Dr Kin Sum LEUNG, School of Biological Sciences
Level: F.4 - F.6

This workshop for Hong Kong’s secondary school students aims to raise awareness about the local food waste situation, provide effective reduction strategies, and teach actionable food waste auditing approaches. Participants will also engage in a hands-on lab experience, transforming food waste into valuable upcycled products. The goal is to empower the next generation to lead sustainable lifestyles and mitigate food waste challenges.

JSI0037
Molecular Gastronomy and the Science Behind Cooking

Teacher: Dr Angela YUEN, Department of Chemistry
Level: F.4 - F.6

Cooking involves numerous chemical and physical changes that impart each dish with its own characteristic taste and aroma. Through simple science concepts, we can account for observations or rationale behind recipes and cooking myths. In this hands-on workshop, students will gain insights into the science behind the scenes of cooking and learn about techniques such as gelation and specification in molecular gastronomy.

JSI0083
Geological Heritage of Hong Kong

Teacher: Dr Haz MC CHEUNG, Department of Earth Sciences
Level: F.4 - F.6

Although Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated and busiest places in the world, almost 70% of its land is undeveloped countryside, covering a landscape of jagged mountains, rugged rock formations, and vast coastlines. In this workshop, students will learn about the geology and diverse landscapes of Hong Kong through guided field trips. 

JSI0102
Mathematics Around US I

Teachers: Professor Tak Wing CHING and Dr Haiyu ZHANG, Department of Mathematics
Level: F.4 - F.6

Mathematics is ubiquitous in our daily lives. In this mathematics workshop series, our teachers will guide students in appreciating various topics in mathematics that have deep and interesting applications in diverse aspects of our everyday lives. Two different topics will be covered in the morning and afternoon sessions.

JSI0105
The Two-Sphere Model: Unpacking the Foundations of Astronomy

Teacher: Dr Timothy WOTHERSPOON, Faculty of Science
Level: F.4 - F.6

Early astronomers imagined the Earth as the unmoving, fixed centre of the universe. This may seem silly to modern people, but the long-standing popularity of this model is due to its tremendous success despite its simplicity. This workshop will explore the power of this early model of the universe through interactive tools.

JSI0118 ^New
A Beginner Guide to The Quantum Era

Teacher: Dr Kwing To LAI, Faculty of Science
Level: F.5 - F.6

The UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, highlighting its significance in modern society. Quantum science has led to innovations like quantum dots, quantum computers, and quantum materials, including superconductors that are shaping our future. To prepare us for this quantum era, this workshop will introduce key quantum concepts and recent advancements in the field.