Course and Activity Overview

To enable students to fully experience the pearl industry chain and learn related knowledge, we hope to transform the rich connotations of the pearl industry into inspiring educational content through carefully designed learning experiences, guiding students to explore the profound connection between pearls, humans, and nature from the multi-dimensional perspectives of history, culture, science, and sustainable development.

Below are some course overviews to show how students can use pearls as a tool to understand the complex relationship between humans and nature, preparing for growth today and future development.

About Us

Course Overview

Module 1 The Story of Pearls

Explore the science, culture, and sustainable value of pearls. Participants will learn about the global variety, formation mechanisms, and value of pearls, trace the history of Hong Kong's pearling industry, analyze the cultural significance of pearls and shells, compare natural and cultured pearls, and consider the sustainable future of the industry.

Module 2 Pearl Science

Explore the impact of water quality on pearl growth, analyze the ecological role, filtering function, and habitat contribution of pearl oysters, understand the carbon sequestration, nitrogen cycle, and ecological balance in the food chain, and explore the bilaterian classification, evolutionary adaptation, and comparison of related species of pearl oysters to promote sustainable development thinking.

Module 3 Genesis

Students will be taught how to build large and small aquariums, learn about water quality monitoring and ecosystem maintenance, and experience pearl nucleus implantation, aquaculture management, disease prevention, and growth monitoring. Finally, through shellfish dissection and pearl extraction, they will understand biological structure and master the entire process from aquaculture to harvest, thereby promoting awareness of a sustainable pearl industry.

Module 4 Extracurricular Activities

Participants will visit marine and freshwater pearl farms to learn about farming techniques, industry history, and transformation and upgrading. They will also experience farm operations and the process of opening shells to search for pearls. Participants will also participate in a maritime jewelry workshop, where they will personally design and create pearl jewelry, further exploring the pearl industry and sustainable development practices.

Module 5 Industry Experience

Students will learn about pearl grading and market value, experience jewelry and hand-string making, and understand the ecological and cultural significance of shell art. Furthermore, they will master the practical business practices of pearl jewelry sales through market trend analysis, sales channel strategies, and customer interaction techniques.

Module 6 Country Overview

This panel discusses the pearling industry's transition from pearl mining to pearl farming and its integration with global trade, analyzes how the National Security Law protects the nation's pearling industry and economic interests, introduces the concept of a blue economy, explores the development of pearl-related industries, and integrates marine conservation to promote sustainable development.

Module 7 Global Studies

This session provides an overview of the global pearl economy transformation, introduces the origins of sustainable development and the UN goals, analyzes the three pillars of ESG and the responsibility of Earth stewards, explores the case of zero-emission aquaculture, and, through role-playing, simulates stakeholder collaboration to resolve pearl industry issues and promote environmental and economic benefits.

Module 8 Innovative Technology

This course analyzes counterfeit and integrity issues in the pearl industry, teaches methods to identify counterfeits, explores the phenomenon of counterfeit pearls in the market, and introduces how RFID technology can solve traceability and counterfeit problems. It also analyzes digital sales trends and promotes the modernization and sustainable development of the pearl industry.

Extracurricular Activities - Pearl Farm Guided Tour and Workshop

"Opening the oysters to find pearls" is a thrilling event, once a hit in shopping malls across Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories. It continues its appeal at the Fukui Pearl Shop in Cheung Chau. Customers often shout out their delight upon witnessing the opening of the pearl oysters, and the audience erupts in joy as the pearls burst into life. The occasional lucky winner, who secures a "twin pearl" (two pearls from the same oyster), is filled with unspoken joy. To ensure a stable supply of pearls, the team travels weekly to mainland China to restock the farms and maintain the quality of the event.

With the rapid advancement of technology and transportation, the "opening clams to find pearls" activity has transcended geographical boundaries and can now be participated in both online and offline. Through the internet, knowledge about pearl cultivation and clams opening is readily available, with a rich and diverse collection of videos and materials. However, even jewelry experts may not fully grasp the secrets of pearl growth. Therefore, since 2010, the founder of "Sustainable Pearl Education" and his father have been organizing study tours for industry experts to delve deeper into the story of pearls.

Today, the study tours have expanded to include elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as parent-child groups. The program has evolved from a scientific exploration of pearl formation to a comprehensive experience encompassing culture, ecology, and sustainable development. Of course, the beloved "Opening Clams to Find Pearls" activity, beloved by both adults and children, remains a highlight of the program, allowing participants to uncover the mysteries of pearls firsthand and experience the fusion of nature and culture.

Farm Location: Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po

Maximum number of people: 240

Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

One-way boat trip: about 3 minutes [100 people, about 20 minutes]

Passenger capacity: Maximum 10 passengers per boat