Robots – The 500-Year Quest to Make Machines Human

 
13.11.2020 (Fri) – 26.05.2021 (Wed)

Since the 16th century, people have gradually invented marvelous automatons following the anatomy of the human body. During the Industrial Revolution, people began to use machines to replace human hands to perform repeated actions, which laid the foundation for developing robots. With advances in science and technology, robots that imitate human actions have been developed over the centuries. In addition to being used in industrial production, they have played an important role in science fiction. In recent years, robots have become more human. They can walk on two legs, jump, and even do a somersault. They can express emotions with facial expressions and look around with eye cameras to capture their surrounding environment. The latest development involves using artificial intelligence with robots, allowing them to think, react and learn like humans.

The "Robots" exhibition explores the 500-year story of humanoid robots and the artistic and scientific quest to understand what it means to be human. Set in five different periods, the exhibition uncovers how robots and society have been shaped by our understanding of the universe, the Industrial Revolution, 20th century popular culture, and our dreams of the future. This intriguing exhibition features a unique collection of over 100 robots, from the earliest automatons to robots from science fiction and modern-day research labs. Through this incredible journey, visitors can see the latest humanoid robots in action and explore how, and more importantly why engineers are building robots that resemble us and interact in human-like ways.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum
An exhibition by the Science Museum in London

 

Exploring Flowers with Five Senses

 
19.03.2021 (Fri) – 12.05.2021 (Wed)

This year, the Hong Kong Flower Show will be held in a brand-new format. To tie in with the event, the Hong Kong Science Museum will present "Exploring Flowers with Five Senses" exhibition in our permanent exhibition hall, to let visitors explore the wonderful flower world with five senses.

Why are there hidden patterns on some flowers? How do flowers protect themselves? Do plants emit sound? How can we extend the life of fresh flowers? How do we utilize the flower fragrance in the daily applications? The exhibition will answer all these questions through a series of interactive exhibits. Besides, interesting plants will be displayed. Visitors are invited to explore the mysteries of flower and the nature with all five senses during the exhibition period.

Fighting Viruses - Innovations to Safeguard Our Health

 
31.07.2020 (Fri) – 03.02.2021 (Wed)

In 2019, the emergence of a novel coronavirus caused an outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Since then, COVID-19 has been spreading throughout the world at an amazing speed and has been responsible for millions of infections globally, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a global pandemic due to the spread of the infection.

In general, coronaviruses cause widespread respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system diseases in humans and other animals. They are capable of adapting to new environments through mutation and genetic recombination. Therefore, public health threats from coronaviruses are constant and long-term. Understanding the virology of coronaviruses, controlling their spread and developing effective therapies and vaccines have important implications for global health and economic stability.

This exhibition provides visitors with a general introduction to coronaviruses, the science behind COVID-19, antiviral treatments and preventive vaccines, as well as examples of research projects and innovations from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology related to fighting COVID-19 from the aspects of prevention, mitigation and treatment.

Presented by the Leisure and Culture Services Department
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Unlocking the Secrets - The Science of Conservation at The Palace Museum

 
14.12.2019 (Sat) – 18.03.2020 (Wed)

Built in 1420, the Forbidden City was the residence and court administration centre of 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a treasure trove of numerous historical works of literature and rare artefacts. The Palace Museum was established in 1925 and since that time it has not only helped to preserve the wooden architecture of the Forbidden City and functioned as a museum, but has also preserved the artefacts within that have significant heritage value. In addition to preservation and research, the museum is also committed to using traditional craft techniques to restore damaged architectural and cultural objects that have been sealed in dust for many years, so as to bring them back their former glory. In recent years, the museum even set up a "Cultural Relic Hospital", which apart from promoting traditional craft skills has also actively introduced the use of different advanced cultural relic "diagnostic" equipment, including computed tomography equipment designed for scanning objects, high-resolution microscopes and various spectrometers, to study the objects more scientifically and thus greatly improve the effectiveness of the conservation.

2020 is an important milestone in the 600-year history of the Forbidden City. To mark this special occasion, the Hong Kong Science Museum is presenting "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Unlocking the Secrets - The Science of Conservation at The Palace Museum" exhibition, that tells the untold stories behind the cultural relic conservation work. The exhibition displays more than 100 priceless artefacts, ranging from bronzes, clocks, textiles, thangkas, woodenware, lacquerware and inlaid works to ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and also hand-painted copies of ancient paintings. Some of the exhibits are just recently conserved and have never been formally displayed. Alongside these objects, the exhibition also features several interactive exhibits. Through hands-on interaction, visitors can deepen their understanding of exquisite traditional Chinese craft techniques as well as the scientific principles and technologies applied in objects restoration. Moreover, the exhibition presents the work of the Conservation Office in Hong Kong by showcasing intriguing restoration works, including the conservation of the century-old "No. 313" train coach and the China trade painting "The Emperor Holding Court in the Imperial Winter Palace, Peking", visitors can learn more about the work and professional skills of conservators as well as their mission to preserve Hong Kong's heritage assets.

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Palace Museum
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, The Palace Museum and the Conservation Office
Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

Winter Games

 
14.06.2019 (Fri) – 16.10.2019 (Wed)

Have you ever thought of enjoying winter sports such as alpine skiing, bobsleighing, and snowball fighting in the middle of the summer? This summer, the Hong Kong Science Museum will provide you with the experience of these fascinating winter sports. You can experience being a winter sports athlete and challenge your sport skills!

The "Winter Games" exhibition features 20 interactive exhibits, including ski jumping, ice hockey, slalom and curling, allowing you to experience a variety of amazing and exciting games. Besides introducing the history, how the sports are played and their rules, the exhibition will also explain the scientific principles behind the sports that help you to master the tricks and discover the key to success. In the exhibition, you can imitate a figure skater, attempting some challenging rotations; participate in an exciting biathlon to test your skiing speed and shooting accuracy; sit on a bobsleigh and work with your teammates as you speed to the finish line; control a curling stone with a broom to move it to your desired position and knock your opponent's stone out of bounds; or learn different ice hockey shots to score in the most efficient way.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum
The exhibition is produced by Experimentarium, Denmark in co-operation with Heureka, Finland, Tekniska Museet, Sweden and Vilvite, Norway
Supported by the Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong & Macao and the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: Becoming Jane – Inspiring a Shared Planet

 
24.05.2019 (Fri) – 02.10.2019 (Wed)

Dr. Jane Goodall is a noted humanitarian, environmentalist, and has spent many years observing the behaviour of chimpanzees in their native habitat. In the past few decades, Jane has been increasingly concerned about the damage to the environment and since then she has devoted her time to campaigning and acting as an advocate for environmental charities and concerns. She has an exhaustive travelling schedule and speaks on average 300 days a year, encouraging people to do what they can to create a better world. This exhibition will be the first ever holistic presentation of the early scientific discoveries of Dr. Jane Goodall, and it will showcase her dedicated contribution in environmental conservation and youth empowerment through various interactives. With Dr. Goodall's story, we wish to empower Hong Kong youth to take constructive actions in protecting the wildlife and our environment and also live a sustainable lifestyle.

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong)
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong)
Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Treasures of Time

 
07.12.2018 (Fri) – 10.04.2019 (Wed)

Since ancient times, humans have paid great attention to seasonal changes and performed time measurements using astrology. In order to measure time more precisely, different types of chronographs were invented. After being introduced by European missionaries to China during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, mechanical clocks proved to be the most reliable and convenient time keepers. These "new products" were designed with novel and ingenious features. They not only reported time accurately, but also comprised a host of other mechanical devices. When the mechanical clocks were wound up, decorative flowers, birds and animals would move back and forth while music played at the same time. The Qing emperors were very fond of these clocks. The palace collected a large number of timepieces and kept them as decorations and furnishings. Later, the Imperial Workshops of the Qing Court were established specifically for the production of timepieces. It first imitated the European style and then gradually developed its own Chinese styles and designs.

"The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Treasures of Time" exhibition merges science, history and art. Visitors will have an opportunity to appreciate a number of exquisite timepieces, learn more about time and the mechanisms of mechanical clocks from a scientific perspective, and gain a better understanding of the significance of cultural exchange and its historical meaning as well as technological achievements. The exhibition will display 120 magnificent clocks and watches from the collection of The Palace Museum. Some of the items in the collections were tributes from Britain, France and Switzerland, while others were manufactured by local craftsmen in the Workshops and in Guangzhou. Several British clocks, repaired just in recent years, will be displayed outside The Palace Museum for the first time. There will also be sections illustrating the workshops of craftsmen during the 18th century in Europe, with displays of different kinds of tools and equipment collected by the Science Museum, London, part of the Science Museum Group. Alongside these treasures, the exhibition will demonstrate the latest technology, animations, models and interactive exhibits to create a special ambience and to show the audience the principles of different time measuring tools, from ancient Chinese instruments and mechanical timepieces to updated atomic clocks. In addition to enjoying the invaluable collections at close range, experts from The Palace Museum have been invited to conduct live demonstrations of the operation of the clocks, thus enabling the audience to gain an insight into the passing of time and to learn to cherish it.

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Palace Museum
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, The Palace Museum and the Science Museum, London, part of the Science Museum Group
Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Supporting Organisation: China Science and Technology Museum

Landscape Map of the Silk Road Exhibition

 
07.12.2018 (Fri) – 20.02.2019 (Wed)

The Landscape Map of the Silk Road is a map that was drawn on a silk handscroll in blue and green landscape painting style. The map, which is about 30 metres long and 0.6 metres wide, was once held in other countries. Finally, Mr Hui Wing Mau acquired the map and donated it to The Palace Museum. According to researchers, the map was an imperial painting that belonged to the Jiajing Emperor in the Ming dynasty. It named over 200 cities, ranging from Jiayu Pass, Gansu province, in the east, to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the west. This implies that the Chinese had grasped clear understanding of the Silk Road in the 16th century.

In light of the great historical value of the Landscape Map of the Silk Road, the exhibition will display the entire 30-metre-long map and bring to life the everyday activities of people who lived along the Silk Road through vivid animations. You can also learn about the features of the blue and green landscape painting style and design your own painting of Hong Kong in the same style. Through interactive exhibits and models, you will learn about the tools and techniques used in ancient Chinese and modern cartography. The exhibition will also display various China maps and Hong Kong maps drawn in the 16th to 20th centuries, allowing you to appreciate both Chinese and Western perceptions of the geography of China and the various functions of maps.

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Palace Museum
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History and The Palace Museum
Supporting Organisations: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library, The University of Hong Kong Libraries, the Lands Department and the Public Records Office, Government Records Service

"Above and Beyond" Exhibition

 
15.06.2018 (Fri) – 17.10.2018 (Wed)

The "Above and Beyond" special exhibition is sponsored by Boeing. It offers an unprecedented interactive demonstration of advances in aviation and aerospace, from the first powered flights to the newest innovations on Earth and in space. The exhibition makes use of flight simulation, immersive theatre, touch-table displays and augmented reality to exhibit technology and scientific concepts behind flight. It inspires your curiosity to enjoy, explore and create through science, engineering, and technology. It takes you faster, higher and further for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Visitors will enter an immersive wraparound theatre and be challenged by the limits of flight. After that you will venture into five main zones comprising dozens of interactive exhibits. You can ride to the edge of space in a simulated space elevator or test your own supersonic fighter-jet design in a virtual high-speed flying competition. A flying experience with motion-sensing image capture also helps you sense what it is like to fly like a bird in a flock, while exploring the forces of flight.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and Boeing
An exhibition produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in association with Boeing

"Semper Paratus - The Government Flying Service" Exhibition

 
15.06.2018 (Fri) – 17.10.2018 (Wed)

"Semper Paratus", a Latin phrase, meaning "Always Ready", is the motto of the Government Flying Service (GFS). The GFS is the only government body in Hong Kong that provides 24-hour emergency helicopter and fixed-wing air support service for the people and the government. Its responsibilities involve searching and rescuing both over land and at sea, providing emergency air medical services, assisting in fighting fires, performing photography for aerial surveys, supporting the disciplined services for internal security purpose, etc.

This exhibition introduces the daily work of the GFS with the aid of videos and tangible objects. Exhibits include a fixed-wing training aircraft, scaled-down models of the service fleet, the main rotor blade and turboshaft engine of a helicopter, an air-droppable liferaft and a specialised bucket used for aerial firefighting.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Government Flying Service

"SOPHIE - IVE's Solar Cars Driving the Future" Exhibition

 
13.03.2018 (Tue) – 12.09.2018 (Wed)

Since 2009, a group of teachers and students at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) have been developing a series of solar cars named SOPHIE in Hong Kong. Their aim is to develop a greener vehicle that can convert renewable solar energy into electricity more efficiently for use, thus helping to protect the earth. After years of research and improvement in SOPHIE's overall performance, the SOPHIE team and their fourth-generation solar car, SOPHIE IV, participated in the "World Solar Challenge" in 2013 for the first time and was the third runner-up in the 3,000-kilometer race from Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia to Adelaide in South Australia. In 2015, SOPHIE IV became the first solar car to run on a highway in Hong Kong.

In addition to displaying the fourth-generation SOPHIE, through video programmes, physical parts and interactive exhibits, this exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of various technologies in solar cars and car body design. We hope that through this exhibition, young people will be inspired to devote themselves to research and to make a contribution to innovation and technology development in Hong Kong.

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education

"Wonder Materials – Graphene and Beyond" Exhibition

 
15.12.2017 (Fri) – 18.04.2018 (Wed)

What is invisible to the human eye, thinner than a human hair and 200 times tougher than steel? Graphene. Graphene is a planar form of carbon with unique and exceptional properties: it is super lightweight, highly conductive and ultra-strong. It is the world's first two-dimensional material isolated from graphite. The breakthrough was led by Professor Andre Geim and Professor Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester in 2004. Their pioneering work on graphene led to their being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. This wonder material could revolutionise electronics, medicine, energy and desalination, as well as a wide range of industries.

The exhibition takes you on a scientific journey of discovery through the past and present, and into the imagined future of graphene. It features over 100 objects and atomic models from scientists, collections of the Natural History Museum and London Science Museum, and interactive exhibits and video programmes. You can discover the curious method that led to the isolation of graphene for the first time, learn more about the unique properties of graphene and cutting edge research projects, and encounter both pioneering products incorporating graphene that are currently on the market and potential applications of graphene.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum
An exhibition created by the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Supporting Organisation: Department of Applied Physics of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

"Miffy and the Ocean" exhibition

 
07.04.2017 (Fri) – 13.12.2017 (Wed)

"Miffy and the Ocean" exhibition is specially designed with an unique environment for young visitors, and comprises a group of interactive exhibits and video programmes that allow them to learn more about sea creatures and arouse their awareness of the crisis in our oceans through "Miffy", a well-known character created by a Dutchman Dick Bruna in 1955. The exhibition is opened along with Children's Gallery to enhance its educational content and attractiveness.

Zürich meets Hong Kong Festival - A Virtual and Augmented Experience from Zurich

 
21.10.2017 (Sat) – 29.10.2017 (Sun)

Switzerland ranked No. 4 in the World's Happiness Survey. This annual report looks at different metrics of well-being in countries around the world. Zurich is consistently recognized as one of the most livable cities in the world. Switzerland was also ranked as the number one most innovative country in the 2017 Global Innovation Index. The Zürich meets Hong Kong Festival to be held in Hong Kong on 21-29 October 2017 will showcase the advanced science and technology that foster Zurich as one of the happiest and Smart Cities in the world.

Researchers from Disney Research Zurich, the ETH Zurich Game Technology Center and Hong Kong Baptist University will showcase the latest developments of virtual and augmented reality and make drawings come to life at the public lecture "Augmented Reality, Creativity and the Arts". The Zurich University of the Arts and the start-up Somniacs will present the VR flying experience "Birdly" at a lecture and live demo "A Virtual and Augmented Experience from Zurich" at the Hong Kong Science Museum, where guests can have their dream of flying come true. Birdly creates a vivid full-body experience that makes people instantly forget the mechanics and computer codes behind this spectacular apparatus. The immersive and interactive nature of "Birdly" serves one goal: to enjoy the ultimate freedom of a bird and intuitively explore the skies.

"The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Eternal Life – Exploring Ancient Egypt" Exhibition

 
02.06.2017 (Fri) – 18.10.2017 (Wed)

Ancient Egyptian society in the Nile valley was one of the oldest civilisations in the world. The fertile Nile flood plain gave the inhabitants the opportunity to develop a settled agricultural economy and a sophisticated, centralised society, which became a cornerstone in the history of human civilisation.

Ancient Egypt holds an enduring fascination for people around the world. Early investigation of Egyptian mummies required them to be unwrapped, which might lead to certain damage to the bodies. However, the advent of sophisticated imaging techniques has virtually eliminated the need to disturb their coverings. This exhibition employs the latest computerised tomography (CT) scanning technology to study Egyptian mummies in the British Museum's collection, allowing researchers to gain new insights into the funerary traditions in the Nile valley. These findings have inspired further research, which in turn, has revealed more about life in ancient Egypt.

This exhibition is solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. It introduces six Egyptian mummies between 3,000 and 1,800 years old. Along with the mummy displays and around 200 invaluable objects, digital interpretation of the mummies demonstrates how non-invasive CT allows archaeologists and other specialists to determine the age and gender of the mummified bodies, and to learn more about the diet, state of health, mummification process and religious practices of the ancient Egyptians. In order to further enhance the visitor experience and provide an in-depth understanding of the meaning of the afterlife in ancient Egyptian society, the Hong Kong Science Museum has designed and developed a multimedia programme and a series of interactive exhibits using the latest technologies, such as 3D projection mapping, virtual reality and holograms, to decipher the myths behind the statues and symbols, and to comprehensively illustrate the technological development of ancient Egypt.

Jointly presented by Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Trustees of the British Museum
Jointly organised by Hong Kong Science Museum and The British Museum
Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust

Inspiration – Dreams Come True

 
10.02.2017 (Fri) – 19.04.2017 (Wed)

On 28 August 2016, the first Hong Kong registered homebuilt aircraft named B-KOO "Inspiration" successfully taken off from Hong Kong to start a 3-month Round the World (RTW) journey. It carried the spirit of Hong Kong and travelled across 20 countries and landed at 40 airports, with a total flying distance of approximately 50,000 kilometres. On 13 November 2016, it marked a splendorous moment by completing its RTW journey.

The exhibition displays the B-KOO "Inspiration" aircraft, tools used to build the aircraft, aircraft parts, flight instruments, flight logbooks, avionics equipment, emergency survival kit and so forth. The science behind flying and the journey of "Inspiration" will also be introduced through graphic panels, interactive game and video programmes. We hope that by reviewing this pride of Hong Kong journey, young generations will be inspired to persist their dreams and work hard to make their dreams come true.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the "Inspiration" Team