Champasak: Vietnamese and Lao students competed in robotics challenges in Champasak province on November 18, as part of the first Vietnam-Laos Friendship STEM Robotics Festival, timed to mark the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day.
According to Lao News Agency, Vietnamese Consul General of Vietnam in Pakse Ta Phuong Dung emphasized workforce development as a core pillar of the bilateral special partnership in her opening speech. She highlighted that the festival aims to introduce teachers and students to STEM robotics, promoting critical thinking, teamwork, and hands-on learning essential for the Industry 4.0 era. STEM Robotics combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in robot design and programming.
The event was an outcome of training courses launched in July by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Pakse, the Vietnam STEM Alliance, and Kidscode Academy. Dung expressed hopes that the festival would encourage Champasak authorities to expand STEM education across the province and southern Laos.
Phimphone Phandanouvong, Vice Chairman of the Champasak Provincial Administration, expressed a desire for more opportunities for Lao students to study science and technology in Vietnam to aid national development.
The festival featured various competitions such as VEX AIM, VEX IQ, and KCBot, along with robot demonstrations and a STEM discovery zone. The zone included hands-on exhibits like time-sensor circuits, sundials, rotating star maps, 3D paper models, and fire-hand experiments.
Around 12 teams from different schools, including the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Primary School in Champasak, the Champasak - Lam Dong Gifted School, the provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, and ISL International School, showcased their skills and determination. The KCBot challenge map depicted the Vietnam-Laos friendship route through historical and cultural landmarks in both countries. Additionally, a VEX VR task required participants to render the two national flags. Roughly 100 more students engaged in interactive STEM activities.
The Champasak-Lam Dong Gifted School emerged victorious, taking first place in both KCBot and VEX VR and second in VEX AIM. The Laos-Vietnam Friendship Primary School secured first place in VEX AIM and third in VEX VR. The Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities placed second in KCBot and VEX VR, while ISL International School took third in VEX VR and VEX AIM.
To commemorate the occasion, the Consulate General and teachers from schools in Gia Lai province gifted STEM kit sets to the four participating schools.