Since 2012, STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) which is an interdisciplinary and applied approach has been used at many primary schools across Da Nang.

A team of pupils from the Da Nang-based Phu Dong Primary School at the First Lego League Championship 2019 in the USA

However, over the past 2 years, STEM education has been significantly promoted as such applied science contests as FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and World Robot Olympiad (WRO) have been widely organised in Viet Nam by the Lego Group.

In particular, a team of pupils from the Da Nang-based Phu Dong Primary School won the Cooperative Poster Award at the First Lego League Championship 2019 which took place in the USA, from 17 - 20 April.

This year’s event saw the participation of 60 teams around the world, including 2 teams from Viet Nam.

The team from the Phu Dong Primary School were the champions at the national-level First Lego League which was held early this year.

Ms Truong Thi Nha Truc, Headmistress of the Phu Dong Primary School, remarked her pupils showed their confidence during this international contest although this was the first time they had participated in such event.

Mr Truong Quoc Tuan, Director of the city-based STEM Square Education Centre, remarked STEM education is a combination of necessary skills involved in the aspects of science, technology, engineering and math, so STEM learners can approach and solve problems better.

He also highlighted the significance of the implementation of STEM education in keeping up with the trend of modern education development, and adapting to the fourth Industrial Revolution (also known as Industry 4.0).

Mr Tuan, therefore, underscored the importance of delivering STEM education across all grade levels, from preschools to post-doctorate, in a wide range of settings that include traditional classrooms, distance learning, and informal non-credit programmes.

Ms Ho Thi Cam Binh, Head of the Primary Office of the municipal Department of Education and Training, pointed out some certain difficulties during the implementation of STEM education in primary schools.

She said currently primary schools across the city are organising the STEM Robotics programme as an extracurricular activity. The programme is open to any pupils who show their keen interest in such programme, and their parents will cover their tuition fees.

“We are encouraging primary schools to implement the STEM Robotics programme in order to help their pupils develop their thinking, creativity and practice. This may be the first step in promoting the implementation of STEM education in the future, thereby inspiring teachers to renew their teaching methods and pupils to conduct their scientific research” Mrs Binh added.