RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
The museum published a 1994 astro-calendar and a Space Museum guidebook. Other activities included 25 lectures, four lecture series and 24 film shows on astronomy, space science and related topics.
Hong Kong Science Museum
The Hong Kong Science Museum was a popular venue for visitors to explore the world of science and technology. During 1993, a total of 473 200 visitors from all walks of life visited the museum.
The exhibits covered basic scientific principles, mathematics, earth science, life science, the daily application of technology, energy, communication, transportation and high-tech items such as computers and robotics. The most prominent exhibit was a 20-metre high energy machine. Many exhibits were hands-on displays which were not only entertaining but also educational. During 1993, a 12-seat Venturer Simulator was installed in the Hall of Transportation to provide visitors with a life-like experience of different adventures.
To supplement the exhibition programmes, the museum organised special thematic exhibitions. The Dinosaurs Alive! exhibition, from November 1993 to March 1994, features eight robotic dinosaurs and a variety of hands-on exhibits, multi-media programmes and extension activities. By the year's end, a total of 70 000 visitors had seen the 'dinosaurs'.
To promote public interest in science, the museum organised a wide range of activities including science lectures, workshops, seminars, film shows and 'fun' science experiments for different target groups. The museum worked in collaboration with the British Council and the Education Department to present the Science Alive lecture series to over 3 000 teachers and students. To promote health knowledge, a series of science seminars on AIDS was arranged in association with the Education Department and the Department of Health, attended by a total of 800 teachers and principals. Another lecture series on the eye also proved to be highly popular and was repeated three times. The 'fun' science experiments, a programme specially-designed for children, enabled over 1000 youngsters to enjoy learning science through performing interesting and stimulating experiments.
A new computer classroom with group teaching facilities was set up in the museum. Specially-designed computer courses with input from computer professionals were also organised for the public.
Hong Kong Film Archive
The Urban Council decided to set up the Hong Kong Film Archive at an estimated cost of $50 million in December 1992. The archive building is scheduled to be completed in 1997.
As Hong Kong is the third largest film production centre in the world, churning out over 100 films each year, the archive will preserve the territory's rich film heritage.
The archive, when completed, will not only fulfil its archival functions of acquiring, preserving, cataloguing, studying and documenting Hong Kong films and related materials, but also encourage public access to its collection through film programmes and exhibitions.
With a net area of about 2 500 square metres, the film archive will include environment- controlled film stores, conservation laboratories, a small cinema for film shows and seminars, an exhibition hall, and a research and study centre.
The archive office has already started acquiring films and related material, mainly through donations and voluntary deposits by owners.
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