Deepening STEM Education · Cultivating Hong Kong's Robotics Talent
Cultivating the roots of Hong Kong's STEM education, building bridges between secondary schools and universities for research exchange, and inspiring young people's passion for scientific exploration and innovation. Learning through competition, advancing through research — laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong's science and technology talent pipeline.
This project is officially titled "STEM Education in Cultivating Hong Kong Robotic Talents through Intelligent Robot Design and Build", abbreviated as STEMBLIMP 2026. Organized by Prof. Fumin ZHANG's team at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), it focuses on enhancing young people's scientific literacy and discovering research potential.
The program covers the complete technology stack of sea, air & land robotics — including blimps, underwater robots (ROVs), sensors, mechanical design, embodied intelligence, and navigation. Distinct from conventional competitions, the entire event is guided by Prof. ZHANG's team at HKUST, with all robots developed by the university itself.
The project spans four phases over nearly eight months: from the opening ceremony and workshops in September 2025, to ROV and blimp training in March 2026, culminating in the Autonomous Blimp Competition and Closing Ceremony on April 19, 2026.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
Prof. Fumin ZHANG's Team
IEEE Fellow · ASME Fellow
Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission
Hong Kong Smart City Ecological Science Education Alliance and other government, academic, and community organizations
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
13 Hong Kong secondary schools
(including Pui Ying Secondary School, Kiangsu-Chekiang College, etc.)
The entire program is guided by Prof. Fumin ZHANG's team at HKUST. The key to translating cutting-edge research into STEM education is thinking about problems from the student's perspective.
All robots used in the event are developed by HKUST. Students interact with genuine cutting-edge research equipment, not commercial kits.
Covering blimps, underwater robots (ROVs), sensors, mechanical design, embodied intelligence, and navigation — the complete technology stack of sea, air & land robotics.
Integrating cutting-edge research into youth education. Learning through competition, advancing through research — inspiring young people's passion for science and innovation.
We are in a golden era of rapid development in artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence, and robotics. I hope aspiring young people seize the opportunities and pursue their dreams. The key to translating cutting-edge research into STEM education is thinking about problems from the student's perspective.
HKUST will continue to host high-quality STEM events regularly, starting from Hong Kong and expanding to Australia, the UK, and other countries — building an internationally influential STEM competition brand.
Legislative Council Member Mr. Ng Wun-kit pledged to actively promote greater government investment in resources, supporting universities to build more STEM platforms for secondary school students. Prof. Feng TONG from Xiamen University noted that the event integrates cutting-edge research into youth education, with students actively asking questions and boldly innovating, demonstrating immense potential in science and technology.