Ocean Park, physics lab for secondary school students

How fast is free fall? How high can a dolphin jump? Hong Kong secondary school students will have the chance to experience the physics principles behind in the coming semester in Ocean Park Hong Kong.

Ocean Park launched Thursday Physics in Motion, a first-ever dynamic participatory education program in Hong Kong, professionally designed using state-of-the-art technology and fully utilizing the many mechanic rides and facilities uniquely available at Ocean Park which provides a real-life environment for secondary school students to experience the wonders of physics starting this academic year.

The program is co-organized by Ocean Park, Education and Manpower Bureau of Hong Kong government and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Chief Executive of Ocean Park Hong Kong Tom Mehrmann said, "The rides and programs offered by Ocean Park offer a unique range of resources for such out-of-classroom educational opportunities, allowing students in Hong Kong to take physics experiment out of classrooms and labs."

As introduced, target students of the program are those aged between 15 to 17, fee for each student is 120 HK dollars.

Eric Lo, a secondary school student from YPICA Lee Lim Ming College, took the lead in carrying out a live demonstration of one of the Physics in Motion programs at the Turbo Drop of The Abyss after the launching ceremony.

On the 'Abyss Turbo Drop', Lo experienced a vertical ascent and rapid descent ride on a tower of 62 meters height.

"It's really fun that I experienced the speed of free fall. After that I'll enter the data into the computer to calculate the actual speed," said Lo.

Lo said the program was very attractive to students as it comprises of both games and learning.

"We only know the basic knowledge from text books and do not have chances to carry out such large scale experiments in the lab, but we can now put the theory into real situations and I think it can help increase our interest in learning physics," added Lo.

"Science is not only about formulas, equations, or laboratories; it is about the real world. Therefore I am delighted to see students enjoying the thrill of the rides as well as the intellectual stimulus of exploring the law of physics," said the vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Kenneth Young.

Ocean Park is a distinctive fun place to nurture students' interest in science learning, the adventure rides here will also serve as a large hands-on Physics laboratory. The thrills and spills of these rides would certainly raise their curiosity about the Physics principles behind, said Principal Assistant Secretary (Curriculum Development) of Education and Manpower Bureau of Hong Kong government Catherine Ka Ki Chan.

Ocean Park is Hong Kong's unique homegrown theme park opened in 1977, which offers adults and children entertainment blended with education and conservation facilities.

Source: Xinhua