"Science in Cha Chaan Teng Food" Writing Competition 2025

Who doesn’t love a cup of silk-stocking milk tea and a buttery pineapple bun? Now's your chance to combine your love for food and science. Share with us a scientific fun fact about cha chaan teng food to win an iPad, a Hong Kong-style milk tea kit and… JUPAS bonus points!

 

👉🏼 Submit your entry here!

Organizer

School of Science, HKUST

 

Eligibility

Full-time secondary school students in Hong Kong

 

Deadline

April 27, 2025 (Sun) at 23:59

 

Requirements

  • Share a scientific fun fact about cha chaan teng food in English or Chinese. For example, you can explain the steps for making Hong Kong-style milk tea from a scientific perspective, or the reactions that make a pineapple bun fluffy.
  • Suggested word count:
    • 100–200 words in English; or
    • 200–400 words in Chinese

 

How to Submit Your Entry?

1) Follow our Instagram account (@sciencefocus.hkust)
2) Comment and tag three friends on the pinned post on @sciencefocus.hkust
3) Submit your entry here 

 

Selection Criteria

  • Accuracy of scientific principles and facts
  • Language
  • Relevance to the theme

 

Prizes

  • Champion: Apple iPad 11 128GB Wi-Fi
  • First runner-up: Mini DIY Hong Kong-style milk tea kit
  • Second runner-up: Cha chaan teng postcard set & poster

Winners will be contacted through Instagram Direct and/or email on or before May 27, 2025 (Tue).

 

Recognition of Participation for JUPAS Applicants

  • OEA (Other Experiences and Achievements in Competitions) bonus points will be awarded to entrants who submit quality entries.
  • The quota is 200. Eligibility will be judged on quality if more than 200 entries are received.
  • Bonus points will be counted towards the final admission score if at least one of the following programs is in Band A:
    • Science (Group A) (JS5102)
    • Science (Group A) with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (JS5181)
    • Science (Group B) (JS5103)
    • Biomedical and Health Sciences (JS5118)
    • International Research Enrichment (JS5101)
    • Biotechnology and Business (JS5811)
    • Mathematics and Economics (JS5813)
  • S.3 to S.5 students (for 2026–2028 entry) are eligible for the bonus points.

 

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility

  • Immediate family members of current and previous members of the Science Focus editorial board are ineligible for the competition.

Entry Submission

  • One entry per person. No modifications will be allowed once the entry is submitted.
  • The writing must be an original piece of work written by the entrant. Plagiarism is not allowed.
  • The suggested word count should be observed; entries of inappropriate length may be disqualified.
  • The submission should comply with local laws. In case there are any legal actions, demands, claims and expenses arising from the entries which infringe any laws, the entrants shall accept full liability.
  • Work that does not comply with the eligibility requirements is subject to disqualification or retraction of award and/or prize.
  • By submitting your entry, you agree to transfer the copyright and publication rights of your writing to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), thus granting us full rights in editing, modifying and publishing your entry.

Recognition of Participation for JUPAS Applicants

  • To be eligible for the OEA bonus points, entrants must provide accurate personal information for our record.
  • The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify entrants who submit subpar or improper entries without prior notice.

Results & Prizes

  • Winners will be contacted through Instagram Direct and/or email. Failure to respond promptly may result in the retraction of prize and/or award.
  • The deadline and the number of awards may be adjusted according to the number of entries.
  • Winners are required to collect the prize at HKUST Clear Water Bay campus in person; failure to do so may result in the retraction of prize.

Others

  • The Organizer reserves the right to suspend or terminate the competition, and modify the terms and conditions without prior notice.
  • All matters and disputes are subject to the final decision of the Organizer.

 

For any enquiries, please email us at sciencefocus@ust.hk.