Science Lectures

"Science in the Public Service" Forum and Lecture Series

Celebrating Physics 2019: A Series of Public Lectures

Quantum Communication and Cryptography: When Feynman Meets Shannon

Quantum mechanics deals with the property of matter in the microscopic world. On the other hand, information theory founded by Shannon in 1948 studies the reliable encryption, transmission and transformation of information. These two research disciplines seem to be totally irrelevant. However, in 1982, Feynman looked into the possibility of using quantum computers to perform certain quantum mechanical calculations. His vision laid the foundation of quantum information science. This lecture gives an overview on quantum information science by taking quantum communication and cryptography as examples.

Speaker: Prof. Chau Hoi Fung (Professor, Department of Physics, The University of Hong Kong)

Date: 13-07-2019 (Sat)
Time: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first come, first served basis
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Organised by the Physical Society of Hong Kong, in association with the Hong Kong Science Museum

Research Grants Council Public Lecture Series

Contributing to the Development of Hong Kong into a Global Fintech Hub

Hong Kong has a competitive edge in Fintech to develop its own insights and strategy most suited to the trajectory of its economy. By engaging in meaningful researches that aim to develop a deep understanding of the interplay between technology and financial services, we are building an intellectual foundation of a strategy on Fintech for Hong Kong. This strategy needs to address fundamental issues related to the impact of Fintech on individual investors, financial institutions, regulators, and the society as a whole.

Speaker: Prof. Tam Kar Yan (Dean of Business and Management, Chair Professor of Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

Date: 27-07-2019 (Sat)
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first come, first served basis
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Jointly organised by the Research Grants Council and Hong Kong Science Museum

How will the FinTech Movement Change the World of Financial Services?

Fintech is defined as the application of technology to improve the level of financial services provided to customers. The technology includes Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Open API, Virtual Banking, etc. In this lecture, Professor Chan will introduce his research work in FinTech. 

Speaker: Prof. Chan Chun Kwong (Professor of Practice in FinTech, Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Date: 27-07-2019 (Sat)
Time:3:30pm – 4:30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first come, first served basis
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Jointly organised by the Research Grants Council and Hong Kong Science Museum

(Cancelled) Moving Around in a Turbulent World – How Baby Marine Organisms Find Home

Since Prof. Mimi Koehl will not be able to come to Hong Kong as scheduled, we regret to announce the cancellation of Science Lecture "Moving Around in a Turbulent World – How Baby Marine Organisms Find Home" to be held on 4 August at the Hong Kong Science Museum. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Most bottom-dwelling marine organisms such as corals and sea snails have larvae that flow with water. Since their mature counterparts cannot move far, if at all, these larvae, being smaller than a grain of rice, play a major role in the dispersal of the species. Yet, how do such tiny marine animals find a suitable habitat in this turbulent world? Combining biology and physics, Prof. Mimi Koehl will explain how baby marine organisms can successfully land on their new home by using the odours from coral reefs and overcoming the turbulent waves.

Speaker: Prof. Mimi Koehl (Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, United States)
Prof. Koehl was one of the consultants for the film "Finding Nemo". She helped the animators understand how undersea plants like kelp moved naturally.

Date: 04-08-2019 (Sun)
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: English
Free admission by online registration here on a first come, first served basis. Walk-ins will be accepted if seats are still available on the spot.
Enquiries: 2731 5441 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays), team@steminaction.hk

Organised by STEM in Action, in association with the Hong Kong Science Museum

In Search of the Aurora in Finland

The thrill of witnessing the aurora is an unforgettable experience for many, but how do you track down an astronomical phenomenon as elusive as it is fascinating? Finland is one of the eight countries in the world where aurora can often be seen. Aurora puts on a magnificent show for many nights here, illuminating the starry sky.

In this lecture, the speaker will talk about the cause of aurora and how to observe it; she will also share her experience in finding the cities suitable for viewing aurora in Finland. You can get a glimpse of how to plan a trip to Finland for aurora watching and enjoy the beauty of these mystic flames in the sky.

Speaker: Miss Cheung Wing Shan, Gloria (Assistant Curator, Hong Kong Space Museum)
Date: 16-08-2019 (Fri)
Time: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Venue: Main Lobby, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first come, first served basis
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Consulate General of Finland, Hong Kong

Climate Change – What Does It Have to Do with Me?

Present-day global mean temperature was approximately 1^oC above pre-industrial levels, leading to widespread melting of snow cover, ice caps, mountain glaciers and ice sheets. If the climate continues to warm, some of the winter sports will be affected.

The Hong Kong Observatory will present the latest situation of climate change and its impacts, calling for actions in the aspects of mitigation, adaptation and resilience to combat climate change.

Speaker: Mr. Sham Fu Cheung (Chief Experimental Officer, Hong Kong Observatory)
Date: 23-08-2019 (Fri)
Time: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Venue: Main Lobby, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first come, first served basis
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Observatory and the Consulate General of Finland, Hong Kong

Arctic Research: A Place Too Cold?

While climate change is an undeniable fact, we should consider early actions for reducing, mitigating, forecasting and resilient work without delay. All these jobs should be based on science and scientific data collected by polar research. The Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong – The Bauhinia Station has been established since September 2018 in Longyearbyen of Norwegian Svalbard Isles and equipped with fundamental facilities for physical, biological and environmental research. This lecture introduces the scientific research in the arctic region carried out by Hong Kong scientists.

Speakers: Prof. Ho Kin Chung (Founding Chairman and Director, Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong) and Mr. Ho Siu Pok (Research Officer, Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong)

Date: 25-08-2019 (Sun)
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free admission on a first come, first served basis
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Jointly organised by Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong, Green Future Foundation and the Hong Kong Science Museum

"Meet the Shaw Laureates 2019 − The Challenges And the Joy of Doing Science" Science Forum

The Shaw Prize is an international award to honour individuals who are currently active in their respective fields and who have recently achieved distinguished and significant advances, who have made outstanding contributions in academic and scientific research or applications, or who in other domains have achieved excellence. The award is dedicated to furthering societal progress, enhancing quality of life, and enriching humanity's spiritual civilisation.

Is doing science and research lonely and difficult or, on the contrary, full of fun and amazement? Shaw Laureates of 2019 will share their experience in this forum. So don't miss this chance to meet them face-to-face.

Speakers:
Prof. Edward C Stone (Shaw Laureate in Astronomy 2019; David Morrisroe Professor of Physics and Vice Provost for Special Projects, California Institute of Technology, USA)
Prof. Maria Jasin (Shaw Laureate in Life Science and Medicine 2019; Member, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Professor, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, USA)
Dr. Michel Talagrand (Shaw Laureate in Mathematical Sciences 2019; Former Senior Researcher, French National Centre for Scientific Research, France)

Date: 27-09-2019 (Fri)
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: English
Online registration on a first come, first served basis
Programme enrolment details will be announced in late-August.
Enquiries: 2732 3223 (Mon to Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, except public holidays)

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Shaw Prize Foundation
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Education City