Biodiversity Learning Journey: An Exploration of Ocean Park
On Saturday, April 18, sixty students from our school's S.4 Biology classes, accompanied by their teachers, stepped into Hong Kong Ocean Park for a truly meaningful "Biodiversity Learning Journey."
This experience was a form of deep learning that integrated observation, inquiry, and action. Working in small groups, the students visited various themed exhibits throughout the park, where they closely observed the morphological characteristics, habitats, and survival challenges faced by different animals under human care. From corals in the water to sloths in the trees, from penguins in the polar regions to pandas in the bamboo forests, every creature became a subject of the students' study.
After careful recording and discussion, each group selected a species they wished to focus their conservation efforts on and collaboratively designed an "enrichment item." Enrichment items can stimulate an animal's natural behaviors and enhance its psychological and physical well-being by modifying the environment or adding appropriate facilities. The students needed to combine theoretical knowledge with creativity to design a solution that would meet the animals' needs while being practical to implement in a real-world setting.
Once their designs were complete, each group took turns presenting their observations and ideas. Their classmates listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions, and offered suggestions and feedback to one another. Through this exchange of questions and answers, they not only deepened their understanding of biodiversity but also demonstrated the spirit of teamwork and scientific inquiry.
This learning journey allowed the students to personally experience a series of actions grounded in science and empathy. What the sixty S.4 Biology students took away, beyond the data and sketches in their notebooks, was a heart willing to go the extra mile for other living beings.
