CTF Education Group and Victoria Educational Organisation successfully organised the “Education Leaders Luncheon and Maker Centered Learning Exhibition” at Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel. The conference is a unique occasion for international and Hong Kong education leaders from various sectors, to exchange experiences and ideas about how to support young students as makers.
First in Hong Kong, VEO was proud to engage in a research initiative with Project Zero, at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). The study, “Agency by Design: Early Childhood in the Making”, aims to investigate and understand how maker-centered learning can serve as a framework for early childhood educators as they support their students in developing a can-do spirit and in becoming empathic agents of change.
At this “Education Leaders Luncheon and Maker-Centered Learning Exhibition”, VEO and the research team from Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) were excited to share the research foci, and resulting achievements from the first year of the pilot research study.
The event attracted over a hundred esteemed education leaders and STEAM professionals, including principals and senior teaching staff of reputable kindergartens, local and international primary/secondary schools, department heads and professors of universities related to STEAM and education, leaders of various education organisations, media management and government officials, and so on. The attendees found the sharing and workshop very inspirational, and were impressed by the world-class research insights brought by VEO and the Project Zero research team at HGSE.
Mrs. Jennifer Cheng, Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTF Education Group Limited (CTFEG) said “Matching the challenges of the 21st century, maker-centered learning has become an important global education trend aimed to encourage, nurture, and inspire young peoples’ creativity and empathy. Actually, even at a young age, we have seen through our kindergarten students that they are using screwdrivers to take their toys apart to see how complex the inner workings are; are reflecting on how artists felt, and in turn wanted us to feel, when creating their most famous works of art; or redesigning the Hong Kong MTR system to be more safe and efficient for all citizens. Through maker-centered learning, children develop important skills such as creativity, observation, problem solving, and collaboration which are important for their future pursuits of STEAM disciplines”.
Mrs. Jennifer Cheng continued “As a leader in education with global vision, VEO strives to keep its curriculum and teaching approach in line with leading and contemporary education research, as well as the changing needs of the community. VEO is honored to be a part of the CTFEG, founded in late 2017 to provide high quality education.
CTFEG invests in initiatives at some of its schools aimed at engaging the faculty in the cutting edge curricular ideas. For instance, CTFE Group supports the research initiative at VEO with Project Zero, at the HGSE, to understand how maker-centered learning can provide a framework for young children to develop skills and knowledge within and beyond the STEAM disciplines, an integral part of contemporary education.
We believe this meaningful project not only benefits the students of VEO and the education industry, but also contributes to the better future of the global community. We look forward to contributing valuable findings and insights in maker–centered learning and STEAM disciplines and collaborating with other education leaders again in the near future with the coming second year of the pilot study.”
Dr. Edward P. Clapp, Principal Investigator at Project Zero, HGSE said, "We have been inspired by the achievements of the VEO teachers that we have had the privilege of working with and excited by the findings that have begun to emerge from the “Agency by Design: Early Childhood in the Making” project. We believe that young people are natural makers, and with the proper pedagogical tools, educators can support their youngest students in becoming more sensitive to design — and more empowered to shape their worlds".
Mrs. Jennifer Cheng, Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTF Education Group marked the opening of “Education Leaders Luncheon 2019”. She expressed her pleasure in cooperating with Project Zero of Harvard Graduate School of Education for STEAM education that contributed to maker-centered learning.
Dr. Edward P. Clapp, Principal Investigator of Project Zero of Harvard Graduate School of Education delivered a keynote speech on “Empowering the Next Generation to Shape their Worlds through Maker-Centered Learning”. He treasured the opportunity of working with Victoria Educational Organisation in this pilot study.
Education Leaders Luncheon 2019, under the theme of “Empowering the Next Generation to Shape their Worlds through Maker-Centered Learning”, took place on 8 May 2019 – a unique occasion for international and Hong Kong education leaders from various sectors, to exchange experiences and ideas related to STEAM education.
(From left to right) Honorable presenters included Ms. Katy Laguzza, Researcher of Project Zero, Ms. Lynneth Solis, Senior Research Manager of Project Zero, Mrs. Jennifer Cheng, Deputy Vice Chairwoman of CTF Education Group, Dr. Edward P. Clapp, Principal Investigator of Project Zero, Mrs. Lyn Cheetham, Supervisor of Victoria Educational Organisation, and Ms. Carolyn Ho, Researcher of Project Zero.
Honorable guests found the sharing and workshop very inspirational, and were impressed by the world-class research insights brought by Victoria Educational Organisation and the Project Zero research team of Harvard Graduate School of Education.
12 teachers from Victoria Educational Organisation showcased students’ works to demonstrate how practices and pedagogies of maker-centered learning could support the next generation as they took their first steps into the world of education.
The event was well attended by over a hundred esteemed education leaders and STEAM professionals from local and international institutions.