Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 3, Issue 1, Article 7(June, 2002) Sam LEE, Ellen SHEK and Nicole WONG WWF Hong Kong Environmental Education Programmes Previous Contents Next

Education Centres and their Programmes

3.3 Hoi Ha Wan Marine Life Centre

With the generous support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and The Hongkong Bank Foundation, our Hoi Ha Wan Marine Life Centre will aim to open in late Spring 2003. The centre is located within the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, and aims to increase public awareness of and support for marine conservation and to provide a unique opportunity for students and the public to have first-hand experience of Hong Kong's coral communities and associated marine life at Hoi Ha Wan.

3.3.1 Centre and Facilities
Set on 'stilts' like an 'Asian Village Classroom on the Sea', the main building area will have an auditorium equipped with audio-video facilities to show marine conservation programmes and it can be used as a lecture/seminar room; an exhibition hall displaying education panels depicting Hong Kong's marine heritage, particularly focusing on Hoi Ha Wan; an aquaria hall with tanks on various themes, including a touch pool that will provide a close encounter experience for students and members of the public. A well-equipped laboratory will be used for student demonstration works or by research scientists/undergraduates/students to process specimens or carry out other basic analytical work related to their projects. A glass bottomed boat, the first ever in Hong Kong, will compliment the centre by taking visiting students and members of the public to view the coral communities and other marine life in the bay.

3.3.2 Education Programmes
Formal Education Programmes
WWF Hong Kong will be launching two guided secondary school interactive environmental education theme activities, 'Who wants to be an Oceanographer?' and 'Who wants to be a Coastal Ecologist?' when the centre opens in late Spring 2003. The three-hour activity will include an hour guided glass bottomed boat trip and either one of the interactive environmental education theme activities. Both activities encourage students to perform field study and provide opportunities for hands-on experience.

Informal Education Programmes
Self-guided public visits to the dry and wet exhibits, together with an hour guided glass bottomed boat trip will be available to the members of the public when the centre opens in Spring 2003. There will be a nominal charge for the guided tours to help cover the operating and maintenance cost of the centre.