Local Materials into the Classroom
STEM education is being effectively implemented in many preschools across remote areas of Lam Dong Province, contributing positively to the holistic development of young children’s skills and abilities.
STEM Lessons from Everyday Life
At Bang Lang Kindergarten in Dam Rong 2 Commune, STEM lessons feature age-appropriate themes rooted in the children's daily experiences. With simple materials such as plastic bottle caps, beans, colored paper, and adhesive tape, children are encouraged to design and create products based on their own ideas.
Learning takes place naturally, without rigid structures or pressure, allowing children to explore freely, think independently, while fostering their ability to communicate with peers, and confidently express their viewpoints.
STEM education - integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is emerging as a transformative approach to the comprehensive development of preschool children, especially in rural, remote, and disadvantaged areas.
Through creative and context-appropriate practices, STEM is contributing to the renewal of early childhood education methods toward a ‘learner-centered’ approach, fostering critical thinking and creativity.
Teachers at Dong Nai Kindergarten in Cat Tien Commune have similarly integrated STEM into daily lessons, playtime, and outdoor activities. Each learning theme is designed as a hands-on experience, encouraging children to observe their surroundings, ask questions, and explore answers through practice. Classroom learning areas have also been arranged to support STEM-based activities.
Sparking children’s curiosity through daily, familiar experiences
A common feature across Lam Dong’s preschools is that STEM education does not rely on modern equipment or large budgets. Instead, teachers leverage safe, eco-friendly, and readily available local materials, creatively bringing “homemade resources” into the classroom.
According to school leaders, integrating STEM education has enhanced teachers’ professional competence and creativity. Teachers are no longer just knowledge transmitters but facilitators who guide children through exploration and experiential learning.
As a result, children demonstrate higher levels of engagement, improved teamwork skills, stronger problem-solving abilities, and greater confidence in expressing ideas.
"Children participate more actively, develop critical skills, learn to collaborate in groups to solve problems, and become more confident in expressing their ideas,” said Ngo Thi Thu Tuyet, Principal of Bang Lang Kindergarten.
STEM education is gradually spreading throughout Lam Dong Province, helping to nurture confident, dynamic, and adaptable young learners. By starting from simple, familiar materials and real-life contexts, STEM is laying a strong foundation for children to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world.