Vietnamese students explore the future at STEAMese Festival

The event, with its focus on education in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), saw approximately 2,500 children aged 8-16 participate in four main challenges, including a Coding Maze, AI Kingdom, and Robot City, each one designed to spark problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork.

Tara O’Connell, chief of Education from UNICEF with participants at the event. Photo: Duc Thanh

Also featured was a 'Future STEAM Career Guidance' area specifically for parents and students from grades 9-12 who are interested in engineering and technology.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mary Beth Polley, US acting deputy chief of mission, said, "STEAMese Festival is not just an educational and entertaining event, but also an inspiring step for teachers and students, helping them gain a vision to shape the future. Together, we can spark curiosity, enhance creativity, and strengthen the foundation of 21st-century education."

Participants had the opportunity to create audio and visual art, demonstrating the application of Generative AI in creative practices through experiences such as 'Creating Art with GenAI', 'Conducting an AI Orchestra', 'Creating Melodies from Drawings', and more.

Other activities explored the operational principles of robots and modern robotics technology.

Silvia Danilov, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, said at the event, "We need to ensure our youth are better equipped as the world transforms. Employers across Vietnam have noticed that transitional skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and creative thinking, are still lacking in most recent graduates, both male and female."

The day also included numerous activities for teachers, such as discussions on AI ethics and responsible AI use in education, and showcasing the integration of Gen AI into classrooms.

"The 2024 STEAMese Festival is not just a programme of events, but the beginning of a new chapter with STEAM 2.0. As we step into the future with AI and advanced technology, our mission is to empower teachers and inspire students to become tomorrow's innovators," said Hung Tran, founder of STEAM for Vietnam.

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