Education sector of 12 provinces and cities participates in STEM conference in Nghe An

Afternoon of November 23,Department of Education and TrainingNghe An organized a scientific workshop on "STEM education and implementation of STEM education programs in general schools".

The workshop was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences and representatives of the Departments of Education and Training of 12 provinces and cities across the country.with many STEM education experts. Photo: MH

This is a forum for experts, education managers, teachers, investors and stakeholders to exchange and discuss the implementation of educational programs.STEM tin the present context.

Previously, STEM education was considered one of the solutions to prepare human resources for the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, human resources for “new generation global citizens”. With that role, recently, the Ministry of Education and Training has directed localities to implement STEM education programs from high school level.

Representative of Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences speaking at the workshop. Photo: MH

In Nghe An, the STEM education program was implemented by the Department of Education and Training from the 2018-2019 school year and was implemented at 3 levels: teaching according to STEM education topics; teaching through STEM experiential activities and teaching through students' course research activities.

Currently, 667 STEM education topics have been developed and implemented at the secondary level. In particular, 2 high schools and 62 secondary schools were selected by the Ministry of Education and Training to pilot STEM education from the 2018-2019 school year, which has proven effective.

However, this is a new field, a new approach, so the implementation of STEM education programs in Nghe An as well as other localities still faces difficulties and confusion.

Teachers from Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted - one of the pioneering schools in bringing STEM into teaching in Nghe An, speaking at the conference. Photo: MH

At the workshop, delegates also pointed out the remaining problems in the implementation of STEM education. Specifically, there is a lack of a unified STEM education framework and model for all levels and grades, and a lack of STEM education materials and STEM education guidance materials.

In addition, teachers and educational managers at all levels have not been trained or transferred STEM education technology, so their understanding and awareness of this issue is still limited. The implementation of STEM education is still spontaneous, so the effectiveness is unclear.

The workshop also focused on sharing and discussing contents such as: STEM education and the correct understanding of STEM education in the current context. On the opportunities to bring STEM education into general schools, how, to what extent and form for each level of education. At the same time, sharing about the methods and results of implementing STEM education programs in provinces and cities.

Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training speaking at the workshop. Photo: MH

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee - Director of the Department of Education and Training also said: Although STEM teaching in Nghe An is still spontaneous, there are no classrooms for STEM, mainly relying on the enthusiasm of some teachers, it has attracted the attention and interest of students.

Currently, although STEM Education is a new field, it plays a role in forming global skills for students, helping them apply the knowledge they have learned to real life. From the above reality, the Department's leaders also hope that units and experts will support in building a set of documents for schools and localities to use in STEM teaching.

STEM class of students at Vo Liet Secondary School (Thanh Chuong). Photo: MH.

In particular, attention will be paid to the integration between other subjects of the general education program. The industry will also coordinate and organize for cadres and teachers in the province to exchange and visit and learn from units in provinces and cities that effectively implement the STEM education program.