When students participate in scientific research

In the context of general education shifting strongly towards developing students' qualities and competencies, scientific research and STEM education are increasingly emphasized by schools. These activities not only help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply theory to practice, but also ignite a passion for creativity in each student.

Students Lai Quoc Khanh and Mai Hoang Dang Son, from class 12 Math 1, Lam Son High School for the Gifted, and their teacher Vu Chi Tuan are conducting experiments for their scientific research project.

Besides its outstanding achievements in high-quality education , thanks to the efforts of each teacher and the students' passion for scientific research, Lam Son High School for the Gifted has also achieved many results in scientific research activities, especially in participating in the Science and Technology Competition for high school students. In recent years, many of the school's students' scientific research projects have won high awards at the provincial and national levels. For example, in the National Science and Technology Research Competition for high school students in the 2024-2025 school year, Lam Son High School for the Gifted participated with 3 projects, all of which won awards, including 1 first prize, 1 second prize, and 1 promising award. Also at this competition, which took place at the end of March 2026, students from the school won a second prize at the national level with the project "Design, synthesis and study of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitory activity of some fluorine-containing chalcones to guide the search for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease".

The project was carried out by Lai Quoc Khanh and Mai Hoang Dang Son, 12th grade Math 1 students from Lam Son High School for the Gifted, under the guidance of teacher Vu Chi Tuan. Mai Hoang Dang Son stated: "Our project focuses on designing and synthesizing a series of fluorine-containing chalcone compounds to inhibit the AChE enzyme and improve memory in Alzheimer's patients. Instead of conducting widespread experiments, we focused on a series of 12 fluorine-containing chalcone compounds. Experimental results identified three derivatives, FC3, FC3Bn, and FC3F, that exhibit extremely potent AChE enzyme inhibition. These are promising candidates, providing an important foundation for the development of more effective Alzheimer's treatments in the future."

According to Professor Vu Chi Tuan, with these initial successes, in the coming time both teachers and students will continue to research other derivatives of FC1, FC2, and FC3 to find better compounds for treating Alzheimer's disease. This is also a new phase aimed at further enhancing the research capacity, passion, and creativity of the students.

Not only Lam Son High School for the Gifted, but many junior and senior high schools in the province are launching and achieving many positive results, such as Ham Rong High School in Hac Thanh ward; Dong Van Junior High School in Dong Quang ward; Yen Son Junior High School in Ha Trung commune... As evidence, Ham Rong High School recently won fourth prize at the National Science and Technology Research Competition for high school students in 2025-2026 with the project "Design and manufacture of a multi-functional agricultural robot for sowing seeds - spraying pesticides - watering, integrating AI camera and intelligent control system to serve crop care and monitoring on various terrains" by students Vu Xuan Thinh and Nguyen Hoang Anh, class 12A7. Dong Van Junior High School won second prize at the Provincial Science and Technology Research Competition for high school students in 2025-2026 with the project "Floating house with pier for people in flood-prone areas" by students Le Van Hoan and Tran Le Binh, class 9A...

According to the Department of Education and Training, scientific research activities among students are developing increasingly strongly in educational institutions throughout the province, especially since the education sector launched the Science and Technology competition for high school students. Each year, hundreds of projects participate in this competition at the provincial level. For example, in the 2025-2026 school year, the provincial competition attracted 148 projects with 288 students from 136 schools in the province. Of these, 35 projects were from high schools and 113 from junior high schools. This was the first school year operating under the two-tiered local government model, presenting certain difficulties and challenges, but the quality of the projects participating in the competition has continuously improved. Many projects have gone beyond the "idea" stage, delving into research and producing products/solutions linked to practical applications; the presentation and critical thinking skills of a portion of students have clearly improved, meeting the competition's requirements well...

This also demonstrates that the scientific research movement among high school students has achieved its goals and requirements: fostering students' creativity; seeking novel and unique scientific ideas, specific and practical initiatives and solutions; and creating an intellectual, scientific, and beneficial playground for students. The movement also effectively utilizes the potential of the teaching staff, especially those with the capacity and experience to guide students in scientific research. Importantly, the success of students participating in scientific research is not only measured by the number of topics and projects completed, but also by the development of creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork skills, and problem-solving abilities. This is a crucial foundation contributing to improving the quality of human resource training to serve the industrialization and modernization of the homeland and the country.

Text and photos: Phong Sac

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khi-hoc-sinh-tham-gia-nghien-khoa-hoc-283080.htm