Various renowned high schools such as Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Chu Van An High School (Hanoi), Vinschool High School, Tran Phu High School (Hai Phong Province), Ha Tinh Province High School for the Gifted, Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted (Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Thuong Hien High School (HCMC) introduced their own STEM projected.
These include a model to help high schoolers reduce waste disposal, a model for hydroponic vegetables in urban apartments, a tool to monitor dust pollution in cities, smart seaweed growth to reduce the CO2 amount in the environment. The projects display a true concern of the young toward environmental problems and their innovative solutions for those issues.
From the twenty STEME teams of all high schools in Vietnam, the five most outstanding ones entered the debate round in order to win the prize of a free 4-day tour to Singaporean Scientific Center, Google Company, and Nanyang Technological University, along with a cash prize of VND30 million (approx. $1,300) per each team guide as well as member.
Finally, the STEME Club from Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted (Nghe An Province) won the contest with their idea of using cameras to analyze data for machines to learn and optimize the work of traffic lights.
The top-5 includes the idea to turn organic waste into arable land of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School (HCMC), the idea to use artificial intelligence ((AI) to classify both organic and inorganic waste of High School for the Gifted – Hanoi National University of Education, the idea to turn sewage into usable water via biotechnology of Vinschool High School, and the idea to map dust pollution for timely warning of Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted (HCMC)
The contest also aimed at inspiring students at all levels to start up a real business in the future via practicing the skills to clearly present their ideas and convincingly persuade investors.
In the framework of the festival, a discussion on highly potential jobs for the future, predicted career prospects, and startup know-how attracted the interest of both parents and students.
According to Prof. Vu Ha Van from Yale University, the STEM program has been introduced to many high schools in Vietnam via the establishment of STEME Clubs, which raise practical issues for members to find the most feasible solutions.
After 6 months running in high schools nationwide, this project was able to create 20 clubs with the participation of 500 tenth- and eleventh-graders.
This program to introduce STEM to high schoolers is a part of the project ‘Training Scientific-technological Human Resources for Vietnam’ by Vingroup. Aiming at applying the most practical teaching methods in domestic schools, STEME Clubs in high schools are going to equip members with professional STEM knowledge as well as necessary soft skills for a successful global citizens in the 21st century.
