Making the Robotics Dream a Reality in Son La

STEM – Robotics is an integrated educational model combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, requiring synchronized investment in infrastructure and specialized knowledge. In Son La province, despite starting later than other lowland areas, the STEM – Robotics movement in schools is gradually developing thanks to the passion and creativity of students and the support and cooperation of the provincial Department of Education and Training.

The journey to Robotics

The Son La Specialized High School Robotics team assembles a robot.

In 2023, the first Robotics team of Son La Specialized High School was established with 6 members, all students from the Computer Science and Mathematics specialized classes. They shared a passion for science and technology, possessed strong computer skills, and had foreign language abilities. Ms. Tran Thi Lan, a computer science teacher, was appointed by the school's administration as the coach to guide and support the team.

Ms. Tran Thi Lan said: "When the team was first established, everything started almost from scratch. Facilities, equipment, and learning materials for robotics research were very scarce; my students and I mainly learned on our own, researching online. Preparing to participate in the VEX Robotics National Championship 2024, the team was fortunate to receive support from the STEAM for Vietnam organization, which lent us a VEX IQ robot. Within just one month, my students and I diligently researched, assembled, and programmed the robot using foreign documentation, studied the rules, and developed competition strategies."

The Son La High School for Gifted Students' Robotics team participated in the VEX Robotics National Championship 2024 in Hanoi . (Photo: Tran Lan)

Despite having little preparation time and limited competition experience, the Son La High School for the Gifted's robotics team performed impressively in their first national-level robotics competition in Hanoi, overcoming many strong opponents and ranking 34th out of 250 teams nationwide.

Building upon their initial foundations and the students' passion and creativity in science and technology, the Sơn La High School for the Gifted's Robotics team has consistently achieved outstanding results in national STEM and Robotics competitions in the following years. In 2025, the team won the Innovation award at the national Robotics Finals in Category V5; won third place at the University Robotics competition; and second place at the Hung Vuong Summer Camp Robotics competition in Phu Tho province.

The Vex V5 robot was assembled by students from Son La Specialized High School.

Bui Gia An, a student in the 11th grade Physics class at Son La Specialized High School, shared: "In the team, I was assigned the technical part, assembling and programming the robot's code. This is also the most difficult part, requiring meticulousness and good computer skills because even a single incorrect code command can render the robot inoperable and require a lot of time to fix. At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, the team continued its success at the 2026 National Robotics Finals and won the Inspirational Award. These achievements motivate us to continue nurturing our passion for creative science and technology."

Promoting the STEM - Robotics movement in schools.

The success of the Son La Specialized High School Robotics team has inspired and spread the STEM - Robotics movement, fostering its vibrant development across schools in the province. To date, the province has nearly 40 STEM - Robotics teams and clubs in junior and senior high schools, with hundreds of students of all ages participating.

This is the Ducks Bot robot model created by students from Chu Van An Primary, Secondary, and High School.

Mr. Dinh Duc Manh, Deputy Principal of Nguyen Trai Secondary School, said: STEM education - Robotics is a suitable direction, developing scientific thinking and technological skills for students. In 2024, the school established a Robotics Club, selecting talented students to participate, assigning two teachers to directly guide them, and achieving some success in online friendly Robotics competitions. This is the motivation for teachers and students to continue spreading the passion for STEM Robotics.

In January 2026, at the Provincial Science and Technology Research Competition for High School Students, the Department of Education and Training organized the first Robotics Competition, focusing on controlling the VEX IQ robot to perform the Coffee Harvest Challenges. The competition quickly garnered widespread attention, attracting over 160 students from 36 junior and senior high schools across the province.

Students from junior high schools participated in the Robotics Competition organized by Son La province.

Mr. Doan Le Huy, Head of the Secondary and Continuing Education Department of the Provincial Department of Education and Training, said: The success of the first-ever Provincial Robotics Competition has demonstrated the positive interest and response of schools and students to the STEM - Robotics education field. This is an important foundation for the Department to expand and organize more Robotics competitions in the future. Through this, it will create an environment for students to regularly experience and hone their scientific and technical thinking, contributing to promoting sustainable development.

In collaboration with the Son La Department of Education and Training in developing the STEM - Robotics program, in 2025, the Vietnam National Energy and Industry Corporation (Petrovietnam) will implement the Petrovietnam STEM Innovation program to support the construction of three internationally standardized STEM labs for the following schools: Son La Specialized High School, Chu Van An Secondary School (Song Ma commune), and Thuan Chau High School. Each STEM lab, valued at 3.7 billion VND, will be equipped with 15 of the world's most advanced robot models, such as Vex V5, Vex IQ, Vex AIM, Kcbot, etc., along with various equipment and learning materials for research, assembly, and programming of robots.

The STEM room at Son La Specialized High School meets international standards, thanks to funding from Petrovietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Education and Training, informed: To promote digital transformation and STEM education programs in line with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on "Breakthrough in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation," in 2026, the Department advised the Provincial People's Committee to allocate funds and invest in the construction of 50 laboratories at junior and senior high schools, each costing 500 million VND, to serve STEM/STEAM experiential activities for teachers and students with modern technological equipment such as AI, IoT, and Robotics. In addition, the Department directed educational institutions to focus on innovation and promote STEM education through various forms; regularly organize Robotics competitions, creating a playground for students to develop their creativity, contributing to improving the quality of education and training.

The STEM - Robotics movement in Son La is gradually affirming its correct direction, aligning with the requirements of educational reform and the development of high-quality human resources. With the passion of the students, along with the support of schools, teachers, and the Department of Education and Training, the "Robotics dream" of Son La is being ignited, opening up opportunities for the young generation of Son La to express their passion, creativity, and confidently integrate into the digital age.

Hoang Giang

Source: https://baosonla.vn/khoa-giao/hien-thuc-giac-mo-robotics-son-la-ARHyJtSDg.html