What do students get in science and technology competitions?

Teachers say that scientific and technical research activities help students practice skills and know how to apply knowledge to real life.

Experience new skills

Last week, the results of the city-level science and technology competition for high school students in the 2024-2025 school year, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, were announced.

A student experience activity with a scene showing the influence of mobile phones on young people today.

In the field of social and behavioral sciences, Nguyen Thai Hong Ngoc, a student of class 11A02, Phu Nhuan High School (HCMC) combined her interest in social networks and Vietnamese history to develop the topic "The impact of historical video clips using digital technology on the love of national history among today's youth".

Through the research process, Ngoc learned new skills such as interviewing and data processing. For Ngoc, data processing is the most difficult skill. "The formula for data processing is not the same as the formula in math, physics or chemistry. Besides, with a large survey scale of up to 1,200 samples, I have to find a way to synthesize, calculate and analyze appropriately and consistently," Ngoc said.

Ngoc shared that she also applies critical thinking skills in both research and life. When conducting personal research, Ngoc believes that the advantage lies in avoiding conflicts and arguments. However, Ngoc has to complete all tasks by herself and does not have the manpower to expand the survey scale. At the end of the competition, the female student's topic won second prize.

Student group Huynh Vi Khang and Nguyen Trieu Thao Quynh participated in the final round of the city-level science and technology competition on December 7.

Also winning second prize in the chemistry category, the group of students Huynh Vi Khang and Nguyen Trieu Thao Quynh, grade 12 majoring in chemistry, Nguyen Huu Huan High School (HCMC) applied knowledge from this subject to carry out the topic "Using autoclave sterilization technology and low concentration Salting-out method to extract Vitamin B12 and Phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis algae, applied as a functional food to prevent anemia and strengthen the immune system".

Representing the research team, Khang said he spent the summer before grade 12 researching the problem by researching and reading specialized scientific articles.

During the research process, the group could not avoid difficulties. Khang shared: "In the experiment, we used a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Because it was the first time we used it, we were still confused about setting parameters and operating the machine. Fortunately, we were guided by the teacher and also read more documents, so in the end, the group was able to use the machine effectively in the research."

Even though the experiments failed many times, Khang's group did not give up halfway. "Every time an experiment fails, I will try to find the cause and how to fix it, and use that as a lesson for the future. The important thing is to learn from those failures," Khang said.

What do teachers do to encourage students to study science and technology?

Having participated in guiding students in science and technology competitions for many years, Master Nguyen Tran Quynh Phuong, head of the chemistry department at Nguyen Huu Huan High School, believes that teachers must not only teach but also observe and discover students' passion for science and technology. In addition, Ms. Phuong also believes that teachers need to constantly innovate and invest in teaching activities to stimulate students' interest, thereby motivating them to participate in research.

In the chemistry curriculum, Ms. Phuong implements small projects for students such as distilling essential oils, extracting compounds in plants... "Instead of just learning theory and doing exercises, students can practice to understand the knowledge in class. This helps increase students' interest in chemistry practice and chemistry in general. For students who want to apply knowledge to create useful products in life, they can participate in scientific and technical research," Ms. Phuong said.

According to Ms. Phuong, schools should popularize the benefits of research activities to students. "The benefits of research activities are not simply rewards or advantages in university admissions, but more importantly, the skills students gain in research. These skills are difficult for students to acquire if they only focus on studying. Once they realize the benefits, they will have the passion and determination to pursue it to the end," Ms. Phuong informed.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha Diem, a teacher at Phu Nhuan High School, who guided Ngoc in the recent science and technology competition, said that research activities help students experience different skills such as research planning, data processing, in-depth interviews, etc.; from there, students can get acquainted with future jobs.

Students present virtual museum in history class

To help students get acquainted with research activities, Ms. Diem introduces the research process to students, guides them to learn about topics, and learn how to analyze data on the internet. "In history, I encourage students to take advantage of digital technology to learn knowledge. For example, students are guided to carry out a project to set up a virtual museum system. They used AI to recreate history and inventions. These activities encourage creativity and thinking in students," Ms. Diem informed.

Regarding literature, Ms. Huynh Thi Hong Hoa, a teacher at Kien Luong High School (Kien Giang), said that the current program contributes to developing research skills for students. "From grade 10, students are guided through the research process and how to write a report in the literature subject. Although the scope of research is only within literature, through this activity, students are exposed to research and practice their skills," Ms. Hoa informed.

To develop students' research skills, Ms. Hoa suggested that the school organize a research competition between classes. "When the school creates a playground for classes, competition appears, motivating students to invest more and they create products with higher precision. Through that, students can both experience research activities and have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

Ms. Hoa added: "Today's students are very creative and have different perspectives compared to the teachers' generation, even discovering perspectives that a teacher like her had not expected. Through the school playground - where students present new initiatives and ideas, teachers can discover factors with the potential to conduct scientific research."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thi-khoa-hoc-ky-thuat-hoc-sinh-nhan-duoc-gi-185241223081726753.htm