Everyday Science Hackathon
 click here to view the poster | Briefing Video |
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Unleash your inner scientist with HKU Science! Join our 'Science Communication YouTuber Challenge: Everyday Science Hackathon', where you can blend your scientific acumen and creativity to solve everyday problems. The challenge is a wonderful platform to demonstrate the fascinating power of science in our daily lives and to position yourselves as science communicators hosting a programme on our YouTube Channel. So, be ready to explore, innovate, and illuminate the world of science!
Science in 5 Minutes
Spot an everyday problem that arises from an emerging or popular science issue, then craft an app-based solution and bring your innovative ideas to life in an enthralling 5-minute video. It could be a mini-movie, a captivating drama, or any format that sparks your creativity! Your presentation should be in layman's terms, designed to inform and engage the wider community about the relevance of science in our daily lives. This is your stage to utilise the power of science to devise practical solutions and establish yourselves as future science communicators!
Your Selected Topic
- Pick an important/intriguing science issue/problem that concerns you
- Apply scientific knowledge to propose an app-based solution for the problem/issue
- Explain the impact of your ideas on humanity
- Present your story in a fun and engaging way
- Use layman’s terms in your story for the public audience to understand your science
| For examples of possible topics, please refer to our briefing video. |
The presentation is about 5 minutes and can be conducted in either English or Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin).
- The contest is open to students studying in Forms 3 to 5 (equivalent to Grades 9 to 11 / Year 10 to 12) in local secondary schools (i.e. schools located in Hong Kong, including public schools, schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme, international schools, etc.) during the academic year 2024-2025.
- Participation in the contest will be based on a group format, with each group comprising 3 to 6 students.
- All participating group members must be students of the same school/institute. Each school/institute can enter a maximum of two teams in the contest.
- Participating groups must either submit the entries through their respective schools/institutes or be nominated by their schools/institutes to enter the contest (i.e. the entry should be submitted via the enrolment system by a teacher in charge, who is expected to be the primary contact point for the participating group(s) through the contest).
- The students who have won prizes in the previous year's contest will be eligible to participate, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Each group can submit only ONE entry.
First-round Selection
| Step | Actions for Participating Groups | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partner up with science enthusiasts and pick any everyday science subject or problem that sparks your interest. | We appreciate and encourage the innovative spirit of our contestants. In crafting your entries, it's essential that your own creativity and originality shine through in your presentation. Relying solely on AI-generated content will not be acceptable.
|
| 2 | Curate content for
* The content (proposal and presentation script) should be incorporated to the designated template for submission [download the template]. | |
| 3 | Prepare a 30-second voice recording in MP3 format, featuring 2-3 presenters who will appear in the final video, to explain why you chose your particular topic. | |
| 4 | Enrol in the competition below, and upload your script and MP3 file to enrolment platform. | Each group from the same school requires a separate enrolment application.
Submissions must be on time to be accepted, and the deadlines is: May 30 (Friday), 2025 (23:59 HKT) |
* There will be 5 groups entering the second-round selection.
Second-round Selection
| Step | Actions for Entrants | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start producing a 5-minute video based on the script you submitted in the first round. | Please ensure that your final video features at least two presenters. |
| 2 | Incorporate audio and visual aids or elements such as sound effects, stock photos, or animations (AI-generated or otherwise) to enhance your content delivery. |
|
| 3 | Submit your final video entry to the Faculty Publicity & Outreach Team. | Submissions must be on time to be accepted, and the deadline is: August 29 (Friday), 2025 (23:59 HKT) |
Selection Criteria
First-round
| Weighting | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Panel selection (100%) | Content organisation (30%) |
| Ideas and creativity (30%) | |
| Delivery and interpretation (40%) |
Second-round
| Weighting | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Panel selection (100%) | Video production (10%) |
| Content organisation (40%) | |
| Delivery and interpretation (50%) |
All winners will be informed by early October, and the awards will be presented at our flagship outreach programme Junior Science Institute (JSI) to be held in late November.
| Award (per group) — Transfer to School/Institute Authority | |
|---|---|
| Gold Prize | HK$12,000 |
| Sliver Prize | HK$6,000 |
| Bronze Prize | HK$4,500 |
| Merit Prize [2 groups] | HK$1,000 |
| People's Choice Award^ | HK$1,500 |
| ^The video with the highest score selected by netizens. | |
Notes:
- All contestants will get a certificate after the contest.
- Videos of the selected groups entering the second round of selection will be put on the Faculty’s social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and Xiaohongshu for public voting.
- Special consideration may be given to awardees for admission to the 6901 Bachelor of Science programme.
- Free quota for JSI workshops may be given to awardees (if appropriate).
| Month | Item/ action |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2025 | Deadline for enrolment with submission for the first-round selection |
| June - Mid of July 2025 | First-round selection by panel |
| Mid of July - August 2025 | Video shooting by selected groups for the second-round selection |
| September 2025 | Second-round selection by panel |
| September 2025 | Public voting for People’s Choice Awards |
| October 2025 | Announcement of results |
| Late November 2025 | Award presentation at our flagship outreach programme Junior Science Institute |
- Professor Rachel LUI, Assistant Dean (e-Learning), Faculty of Science
- Dr Evan PICKETT, Lecturer, Faculty of Science
- Dr Kenneth NG, Lecturer, Department of Chemistry
- Dr Toby LAI, Assistant Lecturer, Faculty of Science
- The contest will be on group basis and each group can only submit ONE entry.
- An entry must be the original work of the participating group.
- Media contents must adhere to guidelines that strictly prohibit the promotion of hate, discrimination, or any form of unethical behavior, and must not cause harm to individuals or society in any manner.
- The Faculty (organiser) reserves the right to interpret the selection criteria. Contestants shall agree to and respect the results.
- The Faculty reserves the right to publish and publicise the awarded entries in any media.
- The copyright for the videos of finalists will be vested with the Faculty.
Enquiries
Publicity & Outreach Team, HKU Faculty of Science
Tel: 3917 2683
Email:scipr@hku.hk