An in-depth analysis of the latest guidelines from the Education Bureau, combined with AI teaching trends, provides the ultimate parent-teacher manual for choosing toys, designing activities, and evaluating learning outcomes.

introduction

The "Science (Primary 1 to Primary 6) Curriculum Guide" issued by the Hong Kong Education Bureau in June 2025 clearly stated that primary science subjects will be fully implemented in all primary schools in Hong Kong in the 2025/26 school year, emphasizing the deepening of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education, inquiry-based learning, multi-evaluation and generative artificial intelligence assistance. It also proposed specific suggestions such as the assessment of primary 1 and primary 2 as much as possible based on regular scores, and the examination weight of primary 5 and primary 6 can reach 80% to match the promotion mechanism. It also lists four major categories and their topics (life and environment, matter, energy and change, earth and space, science, technology, engineering and society) to provide clear directions for parents and teachers. For parents, how to match these concepts in the family environment and cultivate children's scientific literacy and spirit of inquiry, STEM toys are an indispensable bridge. In addition, many studies have pointed out that high-quality STEM toys can effectively stimulate children's curiosity, autonomous learning motivation and creativity, and cultivate logical reasoning, problem solving and cross-domain integration capabilities in hands-on operations, which are the core literacy advocated by the new curriculum. Therefore, in the online article on stemtoy.com.hk , we will explain the core STEM toy features and correspond to the four major categories of science subjects in Hong Kong primary schools, showing parents how to use toys to help children practice curriculum concepts at home and promote STEM learning culture. ---

Overview of the four major areas and topics of the primary school science curriculum

According to the Education Bureau’s guidelines, the main areas and topics are as follows:

In the latter part of the article, we will recommend specific toy examples and usage suggestions for each of the above categories, and explain how to cooperate with inquiry-based learning and multiple assessments at home. ---

The core characteristics and value of STEM toys

Hands-on Learning

High-quality STEM toys provide open modules and practical materials, allowing children to constantly try and fail, observe results and correct solutions during assembly or experiments, and cultivate scientific inquiry and problem-solving skills. Studies have shown that the hands-on process can enhance fine motor coordination, spatial imagination and logical reasoning, and increase learners' involvement and lasting interest.

The hands-on process can enhance fine motor coordination, spatial imagination and logical reasoning, and increase learners' involvement and lasting interest.

Contextual & Real-world Relevance

STEM toys often simulate real technology or natural phenomena, such as solar cars, weather observation instruments, human physiological sensors, etc. They can help children connect classroom concepts with daily life or social issues, strengthen the meaning of learning and stimulate motivation for exploration.

Understanding the relationship between knowledge and life can enhance learning autonomy and application ability.

Interdisciplinary Integration

STEM toys often integrate elements of science, engineering, technology and mathematics. For example, programmable mechanical models are combined with electronic sensing, data recording and analysis, allowing children to experience interdisciplinary thinking while having fun. This is in line with the STEAM education concept and can cultivate innovative thinking and systematic problem-solving skills.

Progressive Challenges & Scalability

Good design should take different ages and abilities into consideration, providing basic entry and advanced accessories or expansion kits to allow children to continue to challenge themselves as they learn. This will help parents choose products based on their children’s growth stage and form a long-term STEM learning support system in the family.

Safety & User-friendly Design

STEM toys must comply with toy safety standards. The materials, safety design and instructions must be clear and easy to understand, and come with adult supervision or operating instructions so that parents can use them with peace of mind. At the same time, they should guide children to correctly operate and record the experimental process, and cultivate good scientific literacy and safety awareness.

Creativity & Confidence Building

After completing a model or experiment, children can gain a sense of accomplishment and build confidence; at the same time, many toy designs allow for multiple ways of playing and improvement plans, encouraging creative thinking, which is the key ability to cultivate future innovative talents. ---

Toy examples and home use suggestions for the four major categories of the course

The following section will recommend representative STEM toys available for purchase on stemtoy.com.hk based on the four major categories of "Life and Environment", "Matter, Energy and Change", "Earth and Space", and "Science, Technology, Engineering and Society". It will also provide specific suggestions for supporting learning in a home environment to help parents implement the curriculum concepts at home.

Category 1: Life and Environment

Toy Example

• Plant growth observation kit/mini greenhouse: includes a transparent observation container, soil, seeds, and a small instrument that can measure light and humidity.
• Digital microscope observation kit: A small microscope or USB digital microscope allows children to observe plant cells, insect structures or water microorganisms.
• Human physiological sensing kit: such as heart rate or breathing rate sensor modules, combined with simple circuits or apps to understand the physiological functions of the human body.

Recommendations for home use

• Science diary recording: Parents can guide their children to record plant growth data (height, number of leaves, light exposure time) every day, observe samples under a microscope and draw observation diagrams, record the heartbeat change experiment process and conclusions, etc., and cooperate with the principle of multiple evaluation to cultivate scientific note-taking and reflection habits.
• Inquiry-based small topics: For example, "The impact of different light colors on plant growth" and "Inquiry into changes in heart rate before and after exercise", children can propose hypotheses, design experimental steps, collect and analyze data, and finally make a simple report or poster. The results can be uploaded to family albums or online store communities to share and enhance a sense of accomplishment.
• Additional resources: stemtoy.com.hk can provide lesson plan guide templates and demonstration videos on product pages or columns, explaining how to set up experiments, how to analyze results, precautions and safety tips, and recommends using a generative AI lesson plan generator to help parents design activity directions that are suitable for age and interests.

Category 2: Matter, Energy and Change

Toy Example

• Safety chemical experiment kit: such as pH test paper, color change experiment materials, removable safety container, and detailed operating instructions.
• Energy conversion models: solar-powered cars, wind power demonstration kits, small generator kits, which can be connected to simple circuits or data logging modules.
• Mechanical structure module: pulley, lever, gear assembly kit, and can be equipped with sensors to measure force or speed.

Recommendations for home use

• Exploration experiment record and analysis: For example, let the children test the rolling speed of objects on slopes of different slopes, compare the friction effects of different materials; use solar energy kits to measure vehicle speed and voltage under different lighting conditions; observe chemical color changes and combine them with daily life examples (such as edible indicators). Parents can help record experimental steps, data and conclusions, and guide thinking about application scenarios.
• Creative challenge tasks: such as "designing the most energy-efficient solar car" and "building the lightest bridge that can withstand a specified weight", allow children to carry out group or parent-child cooperation challenges in a home environment to stimulate hands-on ability and teamwork.
• Online interactive resources: Provide simulation tools or interactive questions and answers on stemtoy.com.hk , allowing children to predict results and think about the impact of variables in a virtual environment before conducting real experiments, thereby enhancing the depth and safety of exploration.

Category 3: Earth and Space

Toy Example

• Solar system model or astronomical observation kit: planetary orbit model, simple telescope or telescope starter kit, astronomical observation auxiliary tools with mobile phone app.
• Weather observation kit: temperature, humidity, and air pressure measuring instruments, with an observation record sheet to allow children to record weather changes over a long period of time.
• Geology and Earth structure models: stratigraphic section puzzles, volcanic eruption simulation kits, safe and non-toxic materials, demonstrating the principles of volcanoes or earthquakes.

Recommendations for home use

• Long-term observation and journaling: Encourage children to use the weather kit to record weather data daily or weekly and analyze seasonal or weather patterns; use the astronomy kit to observe the changes in moon phases and planetary positions at different times; record and discuss observations to improve data organization and analysis skills.
• Small experiments and simulations: such as using simple materials to simulate the principle of volcanic eruptions, making a homemade barometer and observing the relationship between air pressure changes and weather. Parents can help plan the steps, pay attention to safety, and write experimental reports with their children, or make simple videos to share in family communities.
• Integrate social interaction: stemtoy.com.hk can set up an online sharing area to encourage parents/children to upload observation logs or photos and discuss with other families to create an atmosphere of mutual learning; it can also hold "Family Weather Observation Challenge" or "Starry Sky Observation Sharing" activities to enhance the sense of participation.

Category 4: Science, Technology, Engineering and Society

Toy Example

• Robot Programming Kit: A visual programming platform combined with hardware modules (car, robotic arm, sensor), suitable for beginners and advanced learning.
• Electronic building blocks/circuit kits: Modular electronic components that do not require soldering and can be used to build interactive devices (such as automatic lighting and sound detection systems).
• Engineering Design Kit: Multi-material accessories (sheet metal, connectors, easy 3D printed prototypes or lightweight materials), tools and design manuals to support problem definition, solution conception, prototyping, testing and improvement.
• Space theme kit: rocket launch model, safe launch device, and space science manual to stimulate interest in space technology.

Recommendations for home use

• Special design challenges: For example, "automatic watering system", "garbage sorting cart", "energy-saving home model", etc. Children experience the complete engineering process from conception to prototype production, testing and improvement; parents act as guides, encouraging children to think independently and providing necessary assistance.
• Programming and electronic learning: Use robot/electronic building block kits to guide children to build the basics of programming logic and circuits. Combined with online tutorials or demonstration videos provided by stemtoy.com.hk , children can learn step by step and be encouraged to try to improve the program or hardware structure.
• Social and ethical discussions: During the design process, discuss with children the impact of technology on society (such as AI, sustainable development, security and privacy, etc.) to cultivate a scientific spirit and responsible citizenship awareness; stemtoy.com.hk can provide relevant discussion-guiding questions or expert interview articles to enrich family learning materials.

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Suggestions for promoting a STEM learning culture

• Writing columns and lesson plan resources: In the stemtoy.com.hk online store column, lesson plan templates, activity guides and demonstration videos for the above four categories are regularly published, and instructions for using the generative AI lesson plan generation tool are attached to remind parents to review and optimize.
• Indicate corresponding topics on product pages: In the product description of each STEM toy, mark its corresponding elementary school science curriculum category and topic (such as "This kit corresponds to: Properties and changes of matter", "Cooperate with Earth and Space - Weather Observation Activities") to help parents quickly choose products that match their children's learning needs.
• Diversified assessment and learning records: Provide scientific journal templates, online fill-in forms or downloadable forms to help parents and children record experimental steps, data, conclusions and reflections; and encourage uploading of results to online store communities or exclusive platforms for mutual evaluation and display to enhance learning motivation.
• Interactive communities and activities: Establish parent/child communities (such as WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Instagram accounts) to share activity cases, outstanding works and teaching plan experiences; regularly hold online or offline STEM challenges, parent-child workshops, live demonstrations, and invite education experts or STEM teachers to share their experiences to enhance trust and participation.
• Subscription services and package discounts: We offer STEM kit combinations and subscription services based on different ages and learning stages, and regularly provide new toy recommendations, lesson plan updates, and extension activity suggestions, so that parents can continue to gain inspiration and form long-term learning support.
• Safety and parent guidance: Emphasize that toys meet safety standards and come with detailed instructions for use and supervision; clearly indicate possible risks and preventive measures in teaching resources, and guide parents to play a guiding and gatekeeping role in activities, while cultivating children's scientific literacy and safety awareness.
• Generative AI support: Provides AI lesson plan generation, interactive question-and-answer assistance, and preliminary analysis of learning logs. However, it is clearly stated on the platform or column that "AI suggestions are for reference only and must be verified with actual operation results." It also provides error identification and correction guidance to cultivate the ability of children and parents to jointly review and reflect.

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Summarize

This article quotes the latest primary science curriculum guidelines of the Hong Kong Education Bureau and combines a number of research results to explain the core characteristics and value of STEM toys. It also recommends specific toy examples and home use suggestions for the four major categories of the curriculum (life and environment, matter, energy and change, earth and space, science, technology, engineering and society) to help parents practice inquiry-based learning and diversified assessment in the home environment and promote STEM learning culture. Based on the content of this article, the stemtoy.com.hk online store can fully develop relevant resources and services in columns, product pages, communities and activities, becoming an important platform for parents and children to explore the world of science together and jointly cultivate the scientific literacy, innovative thinking and problem-solving skills needed for the future.

We hope that stemtoy.com.hk can help support family STEM education and open up broader learning horizons and future possibilities for children.