Bringing STEM and AI to Hard-to-Get Areas: Bridging the Technology Gap

GD&TĐ - To enhance STEM activities, Robotics, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and create experiential opportunities for students, many schools and disadvantaged localities have proactively coordinated with universities and businesses to organize training and expand the technology playground.

Motivating teachers and students

Every week, the STEM - Robot Club meeting of Huu Le Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (Tri Le, Lang Son ) is always eagerly awaited by students. Here, they can immerse themselves in their passion for programming, get acquainted with Robot models and practice creativity.

Mr. Ly Van Quang - Principal of the school said: "For students in the highlands, learning programming and accessing robot models used to be a luxury. Therefore, when establishing the club, we always attach practical experience activities such as assembling, testing, programming robots or organizing STEM research so that students can directly participate."

After three years of implementation, the STEM - Robot Club has become a useful playground, helping students confidently participate in Robot programming competitions organized by the province. "Teachers also have access to new technology, improve their professional capacity and know how to apply technology in teaching to create excitement for students," Mr. Quang shared.

Tri Le - one of the disadvantaged communes of Lang Son province - has pioneered in incorporating STEM, Robot, and AI content into the education development plan. Mr. Ngo Van Hien - Vice Chairman of Tri Le commune, said: "For smooth implementation, we invited experts to train teachers to use AI in management and teaching. 100% of teachers are required to conduct at least two STEM lessons per semester and effectively exploit AI tools. At the same time, schools have established STEM and Robot clubs for students to participate in virtual Robot competitions and perform real Robots."

In addition, Tri Le also organizes Robot competitions between schools, commune-level STEM festivals, KCbot and AIM Robot tournaments, etc., creating an environment for exchange and learning. At the same time, the commune has connected with educational technology enterprises to sponsor equipment, support training and share experiences. "We want to turn learning programming, Robotics and STEM into a real playground, so that students in disadvantaged areas no longer see it as a distant dream," Mr. Hien expressed.

Mr. Ngo Van Hien (fourth from left) with STEM and Robot training support units. Photo: NVCC

Remove the distance

From 2022 to present, the Faculty of Science and Technology of Education (Hanoi University of Science and Technology) has implemented a series of projects "Fostering STEM, E-learning and AI Application in Teaching and School Management" in localities such as Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, Ha Giang ... In three years, more than 1,000 preschool, primary and secondary school teachers have been trained directly and online.

Training contents include: career-oriented STEM teaching and interdisciplinary integration; E-learning lesson design (digital, interactive lessons, LMS applications...); AI application in teaching and management (creating test questions, video lessons, designing learning activities using ChatGPT, Gamma, Gemini...); and skills in document editing, handling management work using digital tools and AI.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Hieu Hoc - Head of the Faculty of Science and Technology Education, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said: “The coordination between universities, localities and businesses in applying STEM and AI to education in mountainous areas has brought many practical results. The projects arouse students' interest in learning and passion for technology. When experiencing directly STEM models, Robots, digital applications, etc., mountainous students become passionate about Mathematics, Science and Information Technology, no longer considering technology a luxury.”

According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Hieu Hoc, this cooperation also contributes to narrowing the digital gap, creating motivation to innovate teaching methods for schools and teachers. At the same time, lecturers and students participating in the project have more opportunities for practical research, access to rich data, contributing to improving the quality of training and linking research with life.

With more than 10 years of accompanying STEM programs in mountainous areas, Mr. Do Hoang Son - a member of the STEM Alliance, shared: “When choosing to support schools in disadvantaged areas, we hope that teachers and students will have more opportunities to access technology, thereby applying it to teaching and learning. Promoting STEM education in mountainous areas is also a way to improve the quality of education, helping students develop passion and creative thinking.”

Through the implementation, Mr. Son realized: “When participating in and supporting STEM and Robot training, both teachers and students are very excited and eager to learn. This gradually changes the perception of many people that STEM or Robot education is only for places with conditions. In fact, students in disadvantaged areas can completely be creative and achieve high results if given the opportunity.”

He cited: “Students from Tri Le Ethnic Boarding Secondary School, despite being from a poor commune, won first prize in the 2024 National Virtual Robot VEX Competition. This shows that, when approached, students from disadvantaged rural areas can still shine.”

After each course, we conduct direct evaluation and effectiveness surveys. Local teachers have been able to design STEM and E-learning lessons suitable for students; apply AI in designing content, tests, and lesson plans; and at the same time, form a core group of teachers capable of replicating the model. - Associate Professor, Dr. Le Hieu Hoc

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/dua-stem-va-tri-tue-nhan-tao-den-vung-kho-thu-hep-khoang-cach-cong-nghe-post754076.html