This outreach course is specialized for students that would like to investigate the fantasy of plankton world. Samples of plankton would be provided to students and they will understand the difference between zooplankton and phytoplankton. Moreover, it is a valuable experience for students to get familiarize the use of microscope.

- Microscope
- Beakers
- Droppers
- Tablet (optional)

The difference between zooplankton and phytoplankton
The effect of eutrophication and algal bloom
The importance of plankton

Appreciate the importance of plankton
Understand how human impact towards marine ecosystem

The use of optical microscope

Study of the ecosystem of a rocky shore. Students will use the abiotic or biotic factors measurement to explain the zonation pattern. Teachers may choose between instructional module and investigative module according to their learning progress and students' ability.

Nam Tam Wan, Cheung Chau

Explain the effect on the ecosystem of rocky shore with different degrees of exposure.
Explain the zonation pattern in a rocky shore community.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.
Identify the abiotic factors of rocky shore habitat and explain their effects.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments and proper sampling techniques (e.g. belt transect) for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Study of the ecosystem of a freshwater stream. Different pollution index will be measured to justify the degree of water pollution.
Teachers may choose between instructional module and investigative module according to their learning progress and students' ability.

Mui Wo, Lantau

To familiarize structure of a freshwater stream ecosystem.
Study the types, sources and effects of pollutants on a freshwater stream.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.
Identify the abiotic factors of freshwater stream habitat and explain their effects.
Recognise the causes and problems of eutrophication and algal boom .

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments and proper sampling techniques for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Study of woodland and grassland ecosystems. The ecological characteristics e.g. litter, soil and biodiversity of woodland would be compared to grassland.
Teachers may choose between task-based module, instructional module and investigative module according to their learning progress and students' ability.

Fa Peng, Cheung Chau

To familiarize the ecological succession of a woodland in Hong Kong.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.
Identify the abiotic factors of grassland and woodland and explain their effects.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments and proper sampling techniques (e.g. random sampling) for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Study of the abundance of lichens in different places of Cheung Chau. The abundance and biodiversity of lichen would be explained by different abiotic factors and pollution.

Chi Ma Hang, Cheung Chau

Explain the distribution of lichens.
Describe the relationship between organisms in lichen.
Study the lichen distribution as an indication of air pollution
To realize the importance of biodiversity.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Study of the ecosystem of a sandy shore. Students will use the concept of succession and biotic factors measurement to explain the zonation pattern.

Tai Kwai Wan, Cheung Chau

To familiarize the zonation pattern in a sandy shore community.
Explain the ecological succession of sandy shore.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments and proper sampling techniques for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Study of urban ecosystem. The abiotic and biotic characteristics of urban systems would be emphasized.

Urban Area, Cheung Chau

Explain both positive and negative human interactions in an ecosystem and their impact on biodiversity.
Discuss the dilemma between urbanisation and conservation.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Design a sampling method to study of the ecosystem of a grassland .

Chi Ma Hang, Cheung Chau

To familiarize structure of a grassland ecosystem.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments and proper sampling techniques for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

Study of different types of habitats, different types of sampling methods and relationships between organisms.

South Island, Cheung Chau

To familiarize various organisms.
To know the basic principles of different sampling techniques.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Use appropriate instruments and proper sampling techniques (belt transect and random sampling) for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.

DNA extraction from plant tissue, and perform gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments.

St. Paul Campus, Cheung Chau

Explain the basic principle of DNA extraction
Explain the basic principle of gel electrophoresis.

Appreciate the role of science and technology in understanding the inheritance of humans.

Perform gel electrophoresis and DNA extraction.

This course is collaborated with the University of Hong Kong in order to investigate the biodiversity of different types of arthropods in woodland with use of different sampling strategies (e.g. random sampling by quadrants and belt transect sampling).

Fa Peng and Chi Ma Hang, Cheung Chau

To realize the importance of biodiversity.
Identify the abiotic factors of grassland and woodland and explain their effects.
Be aware of the interactions between the biotic community and the abiotic factors of an ecosystem.
To understand different sampling methods.

This course will investigate the biodiversity of organism on the coastline of Chi Ma Wan with use of different sampling strategies (e.g. random sampling by quadrants and belt transect sampling).

Understand the biodiversity of different aquatic habitats.
Understand the zonation pattern of different types of shore.
Explain the role of decomposer and detritus feeder in energy flow and material cycles.
Explain the ecological succession in cow dung.
To realize the importance of biodiversity.

Study of common ant species in Cheung Chau and understanding of their living habits and unique biosocial characteristics.
The course will be conducted in an scientific investigative approach, using different research parameters to understand the habits of ants.

Fa Peng Cheung Chau

Learning about the effects of light intensity on ants.
Understanding the food preferences and needs of ants.
Understanding the importance of biodiversity.
Steps and techniques of scientific investigation.

Appreciate the existence of various life forms in the world, and the different ways through which organisms adapt to their habitats.

Initiation of scientific investigative thinking and practice the steps and techniques of scientific investigation Use appropriate instruments for carrying out field study and to record a range of abiotic and biotic factors.