1. 《LIFE+》Magazine
  2. 《LIFE+》Magazine Issue List
  3. Winter 2023 Issue
  4. Storytellers who transport visitors through time
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    21 November 2023
    Exhibition visitors may get involved in quiet dialogues with the exhibits to fully grasp their significance. With the guidance from docents who act as facilitators, this experience can be enhanced.
    (From left to right) Gigi, Sadie, Helen

    At Nina Park, a soon-to-open wood fossil garden, guided tours will be crafted and led by professional docents adept at telling stories dating back millions of years.

    Photo: Gigi Ngan

    • Photo: Helen Ma

    Driven by curiosity

    Always wearing a bright smile, Sadie has diverse interests, including dubbing and drama, and has recently picked up dancing. “These activities are all about storytelling. I enjoy connecting with people.”

    A graduate from Earth System Science at CUHK, Sadie has an insatiable curiosity about the world. “I pursued a science major because I wanted to trace the origin of the planet.” Driven by her inquisitive mind, she delved beyond textbooks during her secondary school years and often bombarded her Physics teacher with various questions, such as why fire appears orange or blue at different times. Eventually, her teacher gave her an after-class session to satisfy her thirst for knowledge.

    Following in her teacher’s footsteps, Sadie aspires to inspire others and has embarked on her journey as a docent since then, initially as a volunteer at a bird-watching tour for kids. Over time, she became a dedicated docent at Mai Po and Wetland Park, equipping herself with sign language and audio description skills to ensure that people with different needs could enjoy the tours. “I believe that the natural environment, performing arts, and all types of exhibitions should be accessible to everyone.”

    Photo: Sadie Lai, Nina Park Docent

    The Sheer Joy of Being a Science Communicator

    This is my first time meeting Helen, but she looks familiar. Soon, I find out why – she was a host for the RTHK programme Science Night. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology, as well as a master’s and doctorate degrees in Microbiology, all from CUHK, she describes herself as “a science person through and through.”

    Coming from a strict upbringing, Helen was only allowed to go out on her own when she reached the age of 15. The first thing she did was hang around bookstores and immersed in science books. Since then, she has expanded her horizon – not only has she authored a children’s science book, but also serves as a columnist, speaker and workshop organiser.

    “My role is that of a science communicator, or you could say an edutainer.” Her journey as a science communicator began in her early university years when she volunteered as a docent at the Hong Kong Science Museum, a position she still proudly maintains. She finds great pleasure in exploring the realm of science alongside participants, often receiving compliments for her efforts. “Sharing knowledge brings me joy. Charisma comes naturally when you genuinely enjoy what you do.”

    Photo: Helen Ma, Nina Park Docent

    Keen to interact with visitors

    Gigi has a soft-spoken demeanour, but her passion ignites when the topic shifts to art. Leaving Hong Kong at the age of 14, she later returned to pursue her career after completing an art course. As an enthusiast of exhibitions, she enjoys joining guided tours and even took the leap to host one for art exhibition two years ago. “Art is subjective. I like to ask participants about their thoughts because their responses never fail to offer new insights.”

    Art is an integral part of Gigi’s daily life. Worked as a visitor services officer at M+ museum, she enjoyed addressing visitors’ inquiries and proactively helping them find the best photo spot in front of the exhibits.

    In preparation for being a Nina Park docent, Gigi has bought some reference books and recently finished a docent course at HKU SPACE to complement the Park’s in-house training. When asked about her style, her focus remains firmly on the visitors. “My character doesn’t matter. Instead, I would observe participants and tailor the exhibition experience based on their personalities and interests.”

    Photo: Gigi Ngan, NIna Park Docent

    Storytellers who transport visitors through time

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