New steps in primary education

Department of Education and Training organizes STEM Festival for primary schools in the 2024 - 2025 school year

STEM education is an educational model based on an interdisciplinary approach, helping students apply knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to solve practical problems in life. Especially at the primary level, STEM education plays an important role in implementing the 2018 General Education Program, contributing to the development of students' qualities and abilities.

To implement this model, the Department of Education and Training has guided schools to organize STEM education through many specific contents such as teaching according to STEM lessons, organizing school-level STEM Festivals, and organizing STEM experiential activities. In particular, each teacher assigned to teach Mathematics, Natural and Social Sciences, Science, Technology, Information Technology, and Fine Arts has at least one STEM lesson or activity. In addition, schools also introduce students to scientific research through practical activities such as assembling mathematical block models, recycling STEM, agricultural STEM (growing clean vegetables, making bean sprouts, etc.) to help them better understand the application of science in practice.

After one year of implementation, the STEM education pilot has achieved positive results. Along with closely following the directives of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Departments of Education and Training and primary education institutions participating in the pilot have focused on propaganda work, raising awareness for managers, teachers, students and parents about the role and significance of STEM education in the 2018 General Education Program.

In addition, facilities and equipment for teaching have also been enhanced to ensure effective implementation. Schools have developed plans and organized STEM education topics, experiential activities and professional activities following the STEM approach. As a result, students are excited to participate in lessons because of their practicality, not too theoretical, not stereotyped but also help solve many problems in life. They enjoy creating products with their own groups, while practicing working skills, developing thinking and personal capacity.

Teacher Truong Thi Trieu, Vice Principal of Vu Muon Primary and Secondary School (Bach Thong District), shared: "Despite difficulties in facilities, the school still strives to integrate STEM education into its lessons. Students are very excited to participate in creative activities, helping them not only learn but also develop their thinking and personal abilities."

The implementation of STEM education in schools today still faces many difficulties and obstacles. Some managers and teachers have not really spent much time studying the General Education Program as well as the process of teaching STEM lessons according to the instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training. This leads to confusion in developing subject plans, school education plans and lesson plans, so the implementation process does not ensure scientific and effective. In addition, the exchange and learning of experiences between units is still limited, the exploitation of documents and learning materials for teaching is still passive. Specialized activities on STEM education such as professional activities based on lesson research, conferences and seminars are not organized regularly. In addition, the conditions of facilities and equipment for STEM education are still lacking, especially at the primary level, causing many difficulties in the pilot implementation process. However, with the efforts of teachers and schools, STEM education continues to be implemented in accordance with actual conditions.

Starting from the 2024-2025 school year, Bac Kan will implement STEM education in all 112/112 primary schools. To ensure effectiveness, 100% of primary schools will apply STEM lessons and organize STEM experiential activities according to the instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Department of Education and Training. Promote propaganda to raise awareness among managers, teachers, parents and the community about the role and significance of STEM education. Strengthen teacher training through organizing training conferences and seminars to improve professional qualifications in implementing STEM education. Replicating effective models, pilot schools will become typical examples for schools implementing mass implementation to learn and apply; organize visits and learn from the experiences of units inside and outside the province to apply appropriately to actual conditions in the locality, unit...

With specific orientations and solutions, STEM education in Bac Kan promises to continue to bring positive changes, helping to improve the quality of primary education and comprehensively develop students' capacities./.

Source: https://backan.gov.vn/Pages/giao-duc-stem-buoc-tien-doi-moi-trong-giao-duc-tieu-hoc-f72b.aspx