Petrovietnam STEM Innovation Lab at Dam Ri High School: Empowering Creativity and Scientific Research

A Tradition of Educational Excellence

With 25 years of development, Dam Ri High School is a beacon of education in Lam Dong province, maintaining a stable educational quality with a 100% high school graduation rate for many consecutive years and receiving "Excellent Task Completion" recognition from the Provincial People's Committee.

In recent years, the school has made significant marks in scientific research, STEM, and youth innovation activities. Most notably, at the 21st Lam Dong Youth and Children Creative Contest, students from the school achieved high rankings with projects closely tied to local life, indigenous materials, and sustainable development.

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Liem – Principal of Dam Ri High School, in the context of comprehensive educational digital transformation, the school identifies STEM as a strategic path to prepare students for a future that demands critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Despite infrastructure challenges, the school remains steadfast in placing STEM at the center of teaching method innovation, gradually building a research culture among students.

A Dream Realized: Modern Facilities for Future Innovators

"For many years, our teachers and students have longed for a modern practice space where students can experience more and create more. Today, that dream has become a reality," shared Mr. Tran Thanh Liem.

The Petrovietnam STEM Innovation lab not only opens a modern, experience-rich learning environment but also empowers teachers to boldly implement interdisciplinary projects, strongly igniting the spirit of discovery and creative research in students. This serves as a crucial stepping stone for the school's student scientific projects to advance further and stand firmer in provincial, national, and higher-level competitions.

Technical Specifications & Standards: The lab is equipped with advanced device groups, including:

• Smart interactive boards.

• AI-IoT systems and VEX Robotics.

• 3D printers and CNC machines.

• Energy and environment experiment kits.

The facility references international standards such as FabLab, NGSS, ISTE, and CSTA, and aligns with the 2018 General Education Program. This space enables students to access learning methods based on experience, practice, and problem-solving.

Ms. Dang Thi Phuong – a Physics teacher in charge of many student innovation projects – noted that the new lab is not just a "classroom with modern equipment" but an environment that changes the way teaching and learning occur: "Previously, many ideas stopped at simple models due to a lack of tools. Now, students can design, simulate, fabricate, and test right at the school. Teachers also have the conditions to organize interdisciplinary lessons, linking theory with practice."

For students, the STEM lab opens a completely new learning experience. Vo Thien Phat (Class 10A4) shared excitedly: "Before, we did experiments mostly manually, and many steps had to be simplified. With the STEM lab, we can create more complete products, verify results more clearly, and feel more confident when participating in major competitions."

An "Open" Model for Regional Connection

Immediately following the handover, teachers will undergo training on equipment operation, developing sample STEM themes, and organizing STEM Clubs under the guidance of the Petrovietnam STEM Innovation program.

Following the school's strategic direction, the lab will not serve Dam Ri High School exclusively. It will operate under an open model, becoming a space to connect, share, and spread STEM education activities to schools inside and outside the province, especially those supported by Petrovietnam.

"When opened to the community, we believe this STEM lab will become a 'creative station' for the whole region, spreading positive energy and inspiring generations of students," emphasized Principal Tran Thanh Liem.

Strategic Vision: From CSR to Deep Educational Investment

According to PVFCCo, sponsoring the STEM lab at Dam Ri High School is not merely a social welfare activity but a deep investment in education and scientific-technological human resources. When given the right tools and environment, students in any region can develop their creative capabilities and scientific thinking.

Program Context: The STEM Innovation Petrovietnam program was implemented by Petrovietnam based on the idea of General Secretary To Lam. Launched on September 21, 2025, the program aims to complete and put into operation 100 STEM practice labs within 100 days across all 34 provinces and cities. Lam Dong province has three educational institutions selected for this phase, contributing to a network of "nuclei" for practical education nationwide.

Leadership Perspectives:

• Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc – Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, highly appreciated the scale and significance of the program, affirming it as a modern practical education model of great value to localities with limited investment conditions like Lam Dong. He urged schools to exploit the labs effectively to avoid wasting resources.

• Mr. Tran Quang Dung – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Petrovietnam, stated that deploying the STEM lab system concretizes the guideline of "learning goes hand in hand with practice." It contributes to implementing Politburo Resolution No. 57 on innovation, science, technology, and digital transformation, and Resolution No. 71 on fundamental education reform.

"As a nucleus, these STEM labs will connect and spread knowledge and experience within the network of 100 schools deployed nationwide," emphasized Mr. Tran Quang Dung.

In the context where educational innovation and scientific-technological development are urgent national requirements, STEM Innovation Petrovietnam demonstrates a methodical and long-term approach: investing simultaneously in learning spaces, people, and knowledge connection mechanisms.

At the inauguration ceremony, Petrovietnam also awarded 30 scholarships to disadvantaged students with excellent academic achievements at Dam Ri High School. This initiative reaffirms that Petrovietnam and its member units are concretizing social responsibility through deep, impactful actions, contributing to forming the scientific and technological workforce for the country's future.