Decode Primary STEAM: The Design Thinking Edge for JUPAS Innovation Majors

The JUPAS application period feels like a high-stakes strategy game. You’re looking at programme codes, calculating DSE scores, and trying to predict the ever-shifting landscape of university admissions. Majors with names like "Integrative Systems and Design," "Financial Technology (FinTech)," or "Art and Technology" are climbing the popularity charts, leaving many HKDSE students wondering: what are universities really looking for?

The answer isn’t just about acing your exams. Top universities are hunting for innovators, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. And your secret weapon to prove you’re one of them might be buried deeper than you think—all the way back in your primary school STEAM projects.

That’s right. Those afternoons spent building bridges from spaghetti, designing egg-drop contraptions, or coding a simple game weren't just for fun. They were your first lessons in Design Thinking—a powerful framework that can give you a significant edge in your JUPAS application for the most competitive innovation-focused majors.

The New JUPAS Battlefield: Why Innovation Majors Demand More Than High Scores

Hong Kong's universities are rapidly evolving. In line with the government's push for an innovation and technology-driven economy, faculties are launching interdisciplinary programmes that merge science, arts, business, and engineering. Think of HKUST’s Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM) or CUHK's B.Eng. in Financial Technology.

These programmes aren't just looking for students who can memorize formulas or recite historical facts. They are seeking candidates who can:

• Identify complex, real-world problems.
• Collaborate across different disciplines.
• Approach challenges with creativity and empathy.
• Prototype, test, and refine solutions.

This is where Design Thinking comes in. It’s the structured process used by companies like Apple, Google, and Airbnb to create user-centric products and services. And it’s the exact mindset admissions officers for innovation majors want to see in their future students.

What Exactly is Design Thinking? (Hint: It’s a Mindset, Not a Drawing Skill)

Forget the misconception that "design" is purely about aesthetics. Design Thinking is a five-stage method for solving complex problems by focusing on the human user. Let’s break it down with a classic Hong Kong problem: the morning MTR crush.

The 5 Stages of Design Thinking:

1. Empathise: This is about understanding the user's experience. You don't just see a crowded train; you feel the frustration. You’d interview commuters, observe their behaviour at Admiralty during rush hour, and understand their pain points. "I'm worried my bag will get caught in the door," or "I can't even reach my phone to check my messages."

2. Define: Based on your research, you pinpoint the core problem. It’s not just "the train is crowded." A better problem statement would be: "How might we improve the sense of personal space and security for commuters during peak hours?" This reframes the problem around a human need.

3. Ideate: This is the brainstorming phase. No idea is too wild. What if we had designated "baggage zones" on platforms? What about an app that predicts the least crowded car in real-time? Or floor lighting that guides passenger flow more efficiently? The goal is quantity over quality at this stage.

4. Prototype: You create a simple, low-cost version of your best idea. This isn't a fully functional app; it could be a series of sketches, a clickable wireframe, or even a role-playing exercise to simulate the new boarding process. The goal is to make your idea tangible.

5. Test: You show your prototype to real commuters and gather feedback. Does the app make sense? Is the proposed boarding process more or less stressful? This feedback loop is crucial for refining the solution.

This iterative cycle—empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test—is the engine of innovation.

Your Hidden Superpower: Connecting Primary STEAM to University-Level Innovation

Now, think back to your Primary 4 General Studies project. Your task was to design an eco-friendly water filtration system using plastic bottles, sand, and cotton.

• You empathised with the need for clean water.
• You defined the problem: how to remove impurities from dirty water using simple materials.
• You ideated different layering techniques for the filter.
• You built a prototype with a plastic bottle.
• You tested it by pouring murky water through and observing the result.

Sound familiar? You were practicing Design Thinking without even knowing its name. Every STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) project you did—from building a simple circuit to designing a school fair poster—was training you in this exact problem-solving methodology.

Key Takeaway: You don't need to learn Design Thinking from scratch. You just need to recognise that you’ve been using it for years, and learn how to articulate it in the context of your JUPAS application.

The Foundation is Everything: Mastering the Core for Creative Application

While the Design Thinking mindset is critical, it doesn't replace the need for strong foundational knowledge. You can't design a better financial algorithm without a deep understanding of Mathematics (M1/M2), or create a sustainable building without mastering Physics and Chemistry. This is where your HKDSE exam preparation becomes the launchpad for your future innovation.

This is also where modern educational tools can give you an incredible advantage. The brute-force method of endlessly re-reading textbooks is inefficient. To build the solid academic base needed for creative problem-solving, you need targeted, intelligent practice.

Platforms like Thinka use AI-powered learning to analyse your strengths and weaknesses across different HKDSE subjects. Instead of generic drills, you get a personalized learning path with questions that target the specific concepts you need to strengthen. By mastering the core curriculum more efficiently through consistent HKDSE practice, you free up valuable mental energy to think bigger—to connect ideas, question assumptions, and apply your knowledge in innovative ways, just as you'll be expected to do in university.

A solid foundation in core subjects, which you can build with our HKDSE Study Notes, is the solid ground from which you can make creative leaps.

Actionable Steps: How to Showcase Your Design Thinking Edge for JUPAS

Knowing you have this skill is one thing; proving it to an admissions officer is another. Here’s how you can translate your hidden superpower into a compelling application.

1. Reframe Your Experiences in Your Personal Statement (SLP)

Don't just list your activities. Tell a story using the Design Thinking framework. Instead of saying, "I participated in the school's Health and Wellness Week," try this:

"To address student stress during exam season, our team applied a design thinking approach for Health and Wellness Week. We began by empathising with fellow students through surveys (Define). Our brainstorming (Ideate) led to the idea of 'mindfulness corners.' We created a simple prototype in one classroom and gathered feedback (Test), which allowed us to refine the concept before a school-wide launch. This process taught me the value of user-centric problem-solving, a skill I am eager to apply in your [Programme Name] programme."

2. Use the Framework in Your Admission Interview

When you get a hypothetical problem-solving question like, "How would you improve recycling rates in Hong Kong housing estates?", don't just jump to a solution. Walk them through your process.

"That's an interesting challenge. My first step would be to empathise with the residents—why aren't they recycling now? I'd want to understand their daily routines and obstacles. Then, I would define the core problem... from there, we could ideate solutions..."

This demonstrates a mature, structured, and innovative thought process far more effectively than a single "correct" answer.

3. Curate Your Portfolio with Process in Mind

If you're applying for a design, architecture, or engineering major that requires a portfolio, don't just show the final, polished product. Include your sketches, early drafts, and failed attempts. Label them with the Design Thinking stages to show the evolution of your idea. This narrative of trial and error is often more impressive than a flawless final piece.

Your Past is Your Edge

The pressure of the HKDSE can make you feel like your entire academic worth is being decided in a few short weeks. But your potential is so much greater than a set of exam scores. It’s built on years of curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving that started long ago in your primary school classroom.

By decoding your own experiences through the lens of Design Thinking, you can show JUPAS admissions committees that you are more than just a good student—you are an innovator in the making. So, build your foundational knowledge with smart, effective tools, and then confidently showcase the creative problem-solver you’ve been all along.

Ready to build that solid foundation? Start Practicing in our AI-Powered Practice Platform and sharpen the core skills you'll need to innovate tomorrow.