STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is not just about robots and computers. STEM educational activities vary from biology, chemistry, physics, to environmental science, helping arouse senior high school pupils' passion for science, technology, and contribute to the orientation of their future careers.

Students from senior high schools in Da Nang participate in the U-Invent competition. Photo courtesy of Viet Nam - UK Institute of Research and Executive Education, University of Da Nang (UD)

Learn and play at the same time

Three groups of 11^th graders at Tran Phu High School, under the guidance of the physics teacher Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hieu, implement "Models and activities of jet-powered vehicles” utilizing simple and easy-to-find materials such as plastic bottle, pump valve, drain valve, water pipe, wheel, glue gun, ruler, materials light as paper, plastic, soft plastic.

As the result, the model helps young students understand the application of the law of conservation of momentum to real-life experiences. Moreover, the Physics Faculty of the school has also deployed to replicate more extra-curricular activities capturing much interest and active participation of the pupils.

Meanwhile, the 'Creative Experience Competition with Intel Galileo U-Invent' organized by the Viet Nam - UK Institute of Research and Executive Education (VNUK, UD) for high school students in Da Nang has been in its 4^th season. with the theme "Food Tech Innovation", this contest aims to encourage and create opportunities for Da Nang high-school students to innovate science and apply knowledge and skills to solve practical real-life problems.

This year, teams participating in the contest have confidently used technology to create a bunch of innovative technology products such as mobile apps or websites; using straws instead of plastic to make daily items; or a smart refrigerator that can scan QR codes.

Thanks to the contest, high-school students are trained in design thinking and technology introduction; present problems to be solved and creative solutions, in tandem with receiving evaluation and advice from qualified experts.

Create suitable environments for pupils to practice essential skills

As shared by the ‘Aleron’ group consisting of students from Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted, Phan Chau Trinh High School and Tran Phu High School, the group has changed a host of ideas as well as solutions since first days participating in the U-Invent contest.

Moreover, assignments help them to recapture the knowledge of design thinking, practice effective teamwork and time management skill, especially critical thinking skills. As the result, they have gained a lot of experience as well as new knowledge from the suggestions and guidance.

With the aim to help high school pupils have better orientation in choosing their career paths, the University of Science and Technology (DUT)- UD will launch a STEM course scheduled to open in March 2021 in Da Nang and the provinces of Thua Thien- Hue and Quang Nam.

“The course will support students in applying their knowledge of science, technology, engineering as well as basic knowledge of Mathematics to address problems, discover their own competencies as well as gradually form a career path in the future”, said Dr Cao Quang Bang, Head of Science, Technology and International Cooperation Department, DUT.

Reporting by HA TRAN- Translating by T.VY