Mong teacher sows "STEM seeds" at the border of the Fatherland

Mastering technology for dear students

Dong Van Ethnic Boarding Secondary School - High School is a place that receives students from remote villages along the border to study. For most students studying at the school, this is the first time they have left their parents' arms to integrate into a collective environment. The luggage they bring with them is only a few sets of clothes, a pair of plastic sandals and the homesickness and confusion of being away from their family for the first time. Ms. Vang Thi Dinh said that many children cry silently at night because they miss their mothers. Some are even afraid to call home because they cannot hold back their tears just by hearing their relatives' voices.

During those difficult early days, Ms. Dinh and her colleagues were not only teachers teaching the children to read and write, but they also became "second mothers", teaching them knowledge and patiently guiding them in basic life skills such as washing their own clothes, cooking, arranging their sleeping places neatly... Step by step, with gentleness and perseverance, Ms. Dinh helped the children overcome their initial fear, get used to boarding life and gradually find joy in studying and group activities.

Ms. Vang Thi Dinh was honored in the program

Ms. Vang Thi Dinh was honored in the program "Sharing with teachers" 2025

"Amidst countless shortages, what keeps me going and always makes me worry is the eyes of my students. Those eyes always shine with a burning desire to learn and explore the vast world , urging me to find a way for students in the highlands to access modern knowledge, so that their future is no longer as bumpy as the rocky roads leading to the village," Ms. Dinh shared.

In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, students' learning was forced to switch to online. This was a big challenge for schools in mountainous areas where network infrastructure is still weak. However, that difficulty was like a "catalyst" that changed Ms. Dinh's perception. She realized that technology had become the "door" to access new knowledge. Therefore, if she did not act immediately, her students would forever stand outside that important "door". From this realization, Ms. Dinh started her journey of self-studying technology and Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) education . She participated in a series of online classes from organizations, diligently learning about programming, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Initially, the specialized English language, the lack of basic knowledge of science and technology, especially the unstable Internet connection in the border area became "barriers" for Ms. Dinh in her self-study journey.

However, Ms. Dinh did not allow herself to give up. Every night, when her students had fallen asleep, Ms. Dinh still quietly sat by the old computer screen, researching complex algorithms to self-study, self-test, make mistakes and then self-correct. "I believe that if I can understand and master technology, I can bring that knowledge back to my students," Ms. Dinh confided.

During that journey, Ms. Dinh was fortunate to meet engineer Do Hoang Son, a member of the Organizing Committee of the National STEM Festival. From the encouragement, guidance and sharing of valuable experiences of engineer Do Hoang Son, Ms. Dinh became more confident in the path she had chosen. She realized that STEM education could completely take root, sprout and develop strongly right on this border land. From then on, Ms. Dinh officially joined the Vietnam STEM Education Promotion Alliance (VESA), carrying with her the determination to bring new and modern knowledge to poor students in the homeland's borderland.

"Iron will" team

With great enthusiasm, Ms. Dinh boldly set about establishing the school’s first robot team to compete. This was a big challenge because her students had never touched a robot or known about programming. Ms. Dinh herself, although self-taught, had never had direct experience guiding a technology competition team.

The team was formed. Ms. Dinh and her students studied together, tinkered with assembling and testing the codes. For Ms. Dinh, this was a process of both learning and playing. There were late afternoons when the fog had covered the mountain crevices, the robot ran in the wrong direction, hit the wall or rolled aimlessly, both she and her students could only laugh and then diligently find the error and reprogram from the beginning. Patience, commitment and shared passion turned seemingly dry training sessions into hours filled with laughter.

Ms. Vang Thi Dinh and her team performed the robot right at Lung Cu Flagpole.

The biggest challenge for the team is not only knowledge but also equipment when the school does not have the funds to buy robots for competition. Ms. Dinh had to connect and luckily borrowed a robot set. When the robot breaks down, finding replacement parts is another problem when the repair parts are not available, ordering them takes many days to receive. In addition, travel expenses and fees to participate in major tournaments are also a financial challenge.

However, with determination, Ms. Dinh and her students have made efforts to overcome difficulties to be able to bring their robot to the technology arena, competing with teams from big cities. It was this effort and perseverance that made the team win the Steel Will award of the competition.

Ms. Dinh’s concept of success always goes beyond the framework of individual trophies or medals. Therefore, after each tournament, instead of resting, she immediately returns to school, organizes sharing sessions, and provides technical guidance to teachers from neighboring schools. She also donates robot kits and technical support so that students from other schools can also access and become familiar with STEM.

A memorable moment took place when Ms. Dinh and her team performed the robot right at Lung Cu Flagpole. Under the fluttering red flag with yellow star, the small robots, assembled and programmed by Dong Van students, moved rhythmically and intelligently. To Ms. Dinh, that image showed the spirit of boundless creativity and the aspiration to rise of education in the highlands of Tuyen Quang .

Not stopping at spreading, Ms. Dinh also created a technology playground right in the locality. She organized a STEM Festival at the school, turning the boarding school yard into a colorful creative space, with science booths, intellectual games and technology demonstrations. The highlight was the first KCbot Open Robot Competition held, gathering students from elementary to high school levels in and outside the area.

Together with her colleagues, she continued to expand her influence, organizing training on KCbot Robot and Vex VR Virtual Robot for 20 other secondary schools. In particular, she also opened AI application instruction classes for 2 schools in Dong Van commune. Under Ms. Dinh's hands, "STEM seeds" have begun to sprout in many villages, spreading the spirit of learning, creativity and problem-solving thinking.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/co-giao-nguoi-mong-gioi-hat-giong-stem-noi-dia-dau-to-quoc-238251208174139203.htm