Rotary Club of Bayview Sunshine Hong Kong Hosts “The Great Coroner  神探提刑官” Service Project for Students with Special Education Needs

From March 6 to 27, 2025, the Rotary Club of Bayview Sunshine Hong Kong organized a creative project, called “The Great Coroner  神探提刑官”. This program was specially designed for students aged 11-17 with special education needs, including those struggling with school avoidance, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and emotional or behavioral challenges. The event was supported by the Rotary Club of Tolo Harbour and the Interact Club of Society of Boys’ Centres Hui Chung Sing Memorial School, where the program was officially launched. 

The program combined Chinese history, hands-on activities, and mental health support into three interactive stages, aiming to foster leadership and unlock potential in students. By engaging in team-based tasks and creative challenges, participants not only strengthened their own skill sets but also prepared to take on future roles as facilitators or organizers in similar initiatives. This cross-sector collaboration demonstrated a new educational model, blending environmental awareness, culture, and mental health into a single impactful program.

“Turning Waste into Treasure: Learning Through Woodcraft”

In the first stage, called “Upcycling Wood Workshop”, students worked with the social enterprise DOSHA Woodcraft to transform waste wood into large game props, such as a coffin and a mini wooden beam. With guidance from professional mentors, students learned to drill, sand, and assemble wood pieces, putting the idea of “everything has value” into practice. 

This activity not only taught environmental awareness but also encouraged teamwork. A student said, “At first, I didn’t think I could do it, but after building a two-meter-long coffin, I realized I can help my team.” 

“Learning Focus Through History: Building Ancient Catapult Models”

The second stage, “DIY Ancient Catapult Model”, introduced students to the history of weapons, from the Stone Age to the era of gunpowder. Students built working models of catapults, a common weapon in ancient times, and learned about levers and how objects are launched in parabolic trajectory. 

During the activity, instructors explained how different weapon eras worked: “Stone tools in the Stone Age, catapults during the cold weapon era, and gunpowder in modern times all show how humans solve problems with creativity.

“Step Into the Past: The Great Coroner  神探提刑官 Role-Playing Game”

The final stage, The Great Coroner  神探提刑官 Game Day, was the first event of its kind in Hong Kong. Inspired by Song Ci宋慈, the “Father of Forensic Science,” this interactive game combined scientific methods from his famous book titled “Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified 洗冤集錄” with fun crime-solving challenges. 

Students took part in activities like using catapults, archery, solving mysteries, and forensic examinations. These tasks helped them develop logical thinking, teamwork, and emotional management skills. 

The props used in this game were mostly made by students during the earlier stages, including recycled wood coffins and catapults. This hands-on experience reflects the idea of learning by doing. 

“Cross-Sector Collaboration Creates New Educational Model”

This program’s impact extended far beyond its activities, offering students a transformative experience that integrated creativity, history, and mental health support. By participating in thoughtfully designed activities, students not only gained historical knowledge but also saw significant improvements in their mental well-being.

Research highlights the mental health benefits of activities like archery and crafting. Archery, requiring focus and calmness, builds psychological resilience by teaching students how to remain steady under pressure. Similarly, hands-on activities like woodcraft and building catapults reduce anxiety and improve concentration, offering students a sense of achievement through creating tangible results. These experiences helped students manage stress, enhance focus, and develop confidence in their abilities.

The role-playing game, inspired by the forensic methods of Song Ci, was a program highlight. It allowed students to practice logical thinking and teamwork through collaborative problem-solving. Many of the props used, including recycled wood coffins and catapults, were made by the students themselves, embodying the concept of “learning by doing.” The interactive nature of the game encouraged interpersonal communication and emotional expression, further enhancing their social and emotional skills.

Miss Zenia Law, President of the Rotary Club of Bayview Sunshine Hong Kong for 2024-25, said, “Our Club has a series of service projects focusing on youth development. This time, we integrated culture, environmental awareness, and mental health support into a single program to help students with special education needs find their talents and potential step by step in different stages of the program. We are so glad to see the success of this program by seeing their smiles. We are also delighted to see the students enjoying the program so much as some of them, who used to leave school early, were eager to stay after the school for this program.“

A representative from the Society of Boys’ Centres Hui Chung Sing Memorial School added that he liked the program and hoped it could be re-run to reach more students in the future. The program also equipped the participants with leadership skills. Hopefully, they could serve as facilitators or even organizers in future events or other community service projects.