STEAM for girls unlocks female students' creative potential

The contest was organized by the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences (an agency under the Ministry of Education and Training) in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Victoria School Education System, with the aim of promoting the participation of female students in the field of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and STEAM education for female students in schools.

STEAM education for girls aims to provide necessary knowledge and skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with an arts-integrated approach.

Through STEAM education, female students develop the confidence that they can succeed in fields that are traditionally male-dominated.

In the context of rapid development of science and technology, developing green skills and equipping critical thinking, one of the essential skills of the 21st century, helps female students have the qualifications, courage, and confidence to achieve their goals in study, career, and happiness in life.

The contest "STEAM for girls - Green STEAM for female students 2024" attracted nearly two hundred female students to participate in the preliminary round and 66 female students were selected in the final round.

The students are between the ages of 13 and 15, coming from 18 provinces and cities across the country, along with representatives from Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The competition creates a creative playground about STEAM and is also an opportunity for students to learn, experience, and exchange with peers from many regions in the country and internationally.

Promoting Gender Equality Through STEAM Education

One of the important messages of the competition is to promote gender equality in education, joining hands with UNICEF towards the goal of "leaving no child behind".

Although there has been progress in facilitating women and girls' participation in science and technology fields, many barriers remain that prevent girls from pursuing their passions.

Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences, UNICEF Vietnam, with its role and mission, always wishes to design and organize meaningful activities on science and technology for Vietnamese students.

Victoria School System co-organized the STEAM for girls competition with the desire to inspire female students, encourage them to confidently pursue their dreams, and open the door to new fields.

Prof. Le Anh Vinh - Director of Institute of Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences, Head of the competition organization said: "We always want to create activities, forums, and competitions on scientific research, promote innovation, creativity, and equip knowledge and skills for female students, "STEAM for girls is one of them.

Students will have the opportunity to maximize their potential without being limited by gender stereotypes, in the field of STEAM, a field that may have previously been pursued by mostly male students.

Surely, after the experience of the competition, female students will have confidence that they can become leading scientists, engineers, and researchers in the future to contribute to the development of society.

STEAM: The Education Platform for the Future

In the final round, students will work in groups to research, learn, and implement projects related to topics of STEAM skills, green skills, renewable energy, and climate change.

In the context of climate change becoming an increasingly urgent issue in the world and in Vietnam, equipping the young generation with knowledge about clean energy, climate change adaptation and green skills is more necessary than ever.

Through group work and projects, students need to apply a synthesis of knowledge and skills along with promoting creative thinking ability to solve practical problems systematically.

The contest also helps female students have aspirations to become future leaders in building a sustainable country.

Creative and experiential playground

“STEAM for girls - Green STEAM for female students 2024" will take place with many attractive learning activities and practical experiences such as: Visiting Vietjet Aviation Academy, Galaxy Innovation Hub Building to learn about technology and engineering applications in the aviation industry and creative research activities; Visiting facilities and green spaces of Victoria School, experiencing practical learning. Candidates will also explore the "city tour" to learn more about the dynamism and creativity of Ho Chi Minh City.

“STEAM for girls - Green STEAM for female students 2024 is not only a competition but also a forum and playground to connect students across the country and other countries, helping them access educational models, acquire new knowledge and skills, including problem-solving and creative thinking, while opening up a space for learning, exchange and experience as a foundation to create sustainable values ​​and confidently step into the future.

After the competition “STEAM for girls”, the educational forum on Renewable Energy and Climate Change will also be held on October 4, 2024 with the participation of ministries, departments and many experts to help students and teachers better understand climate change issues and the role of renewable energy in the future.