They might sound at first like polar opposites, but technology and nature can be integrated in education. And that’s exactly what happens at Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong. Here, we ask EMMA-JANE RITCHIE (English Principal, Island West) about how this works in practice at MCPS, including using digital nature journals and coding at preschool to enhance learning experiences.
What’s one example of how technology and nature come together at Malvern preschool?
Our Forest-Beach School approach extends exploration beyond the classroom, particularly through engaging experiences at the Lions Nature Centre. During nature walks, children learn about butterflies, observing their behaviours and habitats. They use “Talk-Time Recordable Cards” to document their findings, capturing images and recording sounds, while also drawing what they see.
This practice not only enhances their observational skills but also encourages reflection on their experiences, fostering a deeper connection to the world around them. By creating digital nature journals, children integrate technology into their exploration, enriching their understanding of the environment.
What kinds of skills do children acquire through these experiences?
They develop essential skills, including enhanced observational abilities and a greater connection to nature. Engaging in circuit activities and coding at preschool fosters critical thinking, teamwork and effective communication. And early exposure to coding also enhances logical thinking and computational skills, which are crucial for success in the 21st century.
Tell us more about the use of coding and circuits in the curriculum.
Coding is introduced as a gateway to creativity and problem-solving at MCPS. STEM learning tools such as “Coding Code-a-Pillars” teach foundational programming concepts in a playful manner, empowering our independent, curious learners. During Discovery Time, pupils gain hands-on experience with various coding resources, learning to create and direct their projects. This promotes essential skills like collaboration and critical thinking.
Additionally, our ambitious change-makers experiment with electrical concepts through Squishy Circuits, Snap Circuits and LEGO Circuits. These activities teach the basics of circuits while encouraging teamwork, as children work together to build and fix their projects. Collaborative problem solving enhances social skills and boosts confidence among our open-minded learners.
What happens in the school’s Sensory Room?
The Sensory Room is a distinctive feature of MCPS, providing a digital extension of the beach and forest experiences found at Forest-Beach School. Currently, the room is based around “Life Under the Ocean”, inviting children to immerse themselves in a captivating underwater world.
In this vibrant environment, children can interact with glow-in-the-dark water beads, textured rocks, ocean creatures, bubble lamps and fibre optic coral. These elements allow them to explore various textures and sensations, fostering sensory development in an engaging manner. They can also express their creativity through mark-making with glow-in-the-dark pens and paint.
Previously, the Sensory Room was designed as a digital reptile world, inspired by a recent visit to the Tuen Mun Reptile House, which offered children a fascinating glimpse into the world of reptiles.
Are there other first-hand experiences with technology and nature that MCPS children enjoy?
Yes, we provide opportunities for creative expression through digital drawing boards and recording tools. These tools allow children to illustrate their ideas and document their learning journeys, blending art with technology. Integrating creative arts with STEM subjects can lead to improved cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence, fostering well-rounded development.
Are new cohorts at MCPS increasingly tech-savvy? How does this affect teaching?
It’s true that each new cohort that arrives at MCPS demonstrates increasing tech-savviness; this just means that our teaching methods constantly evolve and adapt. But we have a commitment to STEM education that is about inspiring the next generation of thinkers and leaders, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. By nurturing a deep appreciation for STEM subjects from an early age, we ensure that our pupils carry this passion into higher education and beyond, becoming the innovators and problem-solvers of the future.
What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming 2025-26 school year?
We’re excited to continue blending technology and nature, empowering the Malvern Qualities, and inspiring the next generation of thinkers and communicators. At MCPS, we remain committed to cultivating the skills and mindsets necessary for our young learners to reach for the stars and thrive in an ever-evolving world!
About the Malvern Qualities
Emma-Jane says that MCPS emphasises a set of well-tested values called the “Malvern Qualities” which enable pupils to grow and equip them for life’s challenges and successes. The 11 qualities are:
- Humility
- Self-awareness
- Open-mindedness
- Independence
- Ambition
- Risk-Taking
- Integrity
- Curiosity
- Collaboration
- Kindness
- Resilience
These are integrated throughout school life at MCPS, including in the ways that technology and nature are incorporated into learning.
“As pathfinders and risk-takers, we encourage our young learners to explore the wonders of nature using digital microscopes. These tools allow children to observe leaves, insects and other natural elements closely, sparking their interest in biological sciences. Research shows that hands-on experiences in nature significantly enhance children’s observational skills and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment, nurturing them to become self-aware, humble and kind communicators.”
Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong
• Island West: G/F & 1/F Viking Court,
165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun
• Coronation Circle: G09-12 Coronation Circle,
1 Yau Cheung Road, West Kowloon
3898 4668 | malvernpreschool.hk
This article first appeared in Summer 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
