Developing young talents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has become one of the greatest concerns of the Hong Kong government (Chan in Policy address: Groom local talents allocation of additional 300 million for organizing extracurricular activities related to innovation and technology, 2022). Although community-based STEM programmes in K-12 levels are reported to ignite long-term talents in STEM (VanMeter-Adams et al. in CBE—Life Sciences Education 13(4), 687–697. 2014), students with talents should be exposed earlier to community-based STEM programmes to develop their fullest potentials. To address this need, a 14-month action research was conducted from October 2022 to December 2023. The research involved stakeholders (n = 44) from the education sector, tech industry, social services sector, and K7-12 gifted students in Hong Kong. Participants were reported to gain practical skills in AI, design thinking, emotional intelligence and STEM aspirations. The hybrid model developed from the current study sheds light on the programme design of talent development and gifted education in STEM, particularly in the Asian context. The model can be adapted by teachers to K-12 school settings.