Organizing activities for children to have learning opportunities at many units and organizations have received good support from the children as well as parents.
“Practical science" class at Thu Dau Mot University is a program that has attracted many students and parents.
Nurturing passion
Dr. Phung My Trung, a researcher of biodiversity in Vietnam (currently working at Dong Nai Province Customs Department) collaborated with Thu Dau Mot University to organize "practical science" classes at the university’s labs for elementary and junior high school students. In this program, students studied topics related to science and practice at lab of Thu Dau Mot University. For example, an experiment on the existence of a substance in a solution mixture; exploring the application of biotechnology in scar reduction, skin regeneration using nanotechnology; experimental observation of the division of plant cells; learning about plant tissue culture. In addition, the group also organized programs such as "We are future engineers", "Skillful transporter" (designing transport system of agricultural products for upland people), distillation of essential oils, biological lip sticks... The whole course was taught by lecturers of Thu Dau Mot University.
In addition to the above programs, the group also organized many other meaningful activities, such as animal conservation program, learning about mushroom cultivation techniques ... Phung My Trung talked about these activities: "Nursing passion for science in children is not a short-term issue. The group hopes to sow love and passion for experimental science. Therefore every lesson just provides enough knowledge for children to absorb. We are getting the participation of more families. I always believe that curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering new things is the key to nursing a future scientist”.
Creating playgrounds
Provincial Youth Union also cooperated with Department of Science and Technology to organize the opening ceremony of "Talented Engineers" course for students. This was an exciting playground for creative teenagers. The course was oriented towards the STEM model that integrates theories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into practice through assembling, programming and interaction with robots. In this course, students learnt basic and useful knowledge with advanced learning tools; They were able to assemble robots and create models from basic to advanced level with high applicability; understand principles of motion, automation, and programming. "Talented Engineers" is held on every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with 2 sessions/week and 12 sessions/year at Provincial Children's House.
Huynh Thanh Nga in An Thanh ward, Thuan An town, said: "I learned about STEM educational method before. This is a way to give students skills to observe, analyze and think critically from the intimate and simple things around them such as seeds, birds ...This method helps my child to form the habit of questioning, plan, and perfect solutions to problems in daily life. All the knowledge comes from excitement, desire to explore, stimulate curiosity, actively explore, ask the world around students”.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. According to Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Director of Department of Science and Technology, STEM method also stays close to the goal of a creative economy of the world. In Binh Duong, this is also consistent with the goal of building smart city and changing the economic growth model of the province. It can be said, with practical experiences, Binh Duong has an open, dynamic, and favorable environment for youngsters to develop creativeness and innovation. Investing in children is also a good investment for a bright future of dynamic Binh Duong city.
Reported by Thanh Le – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
