Na Hang, Tuyen Quang (November 18, 2023) - The seminar "Unleashing the potential of girls in STEM activities in Na Hang district" was successfully held with the attention and participation of students, teachers, delegates and officials the district.
STEM Career Opportunities in Na Hang district
The workshop was hosted by Ms. Dao Thi Hong Quyen, who shared with students in Na Hang about STEM career opportunities in the district. She drew inspiration from the Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Plant to ignite a passion for science in the younger generation.
The Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Plant, constructed on the Gam River in Vinh Yen commune and Na Hang district, is not only a source of pride for Tuyen Quang province but also a testament to the immense power of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Introducing STEM into education for students in Na Hang is a strategic step, promising to open doors to significant opportunities in the future.
The seminar discussed various practical solutions to unleash the potential of students in Na Hang in STEM activities. One of the highlights is encouraging students to participate in STEM activities, explore, and have more STEM career opportunities right in their homeland of Na Hang.
STEM lessons origin from indigenous culture
Located in the northern part of Tuyen Quang province, 110km away from the city center, Na Hang emerges as a majestic natural landscape with an area of 1,471.7 km² and a population of 54,742 people (2006). The population density is relatively low, only 45 people/km². Na Hang is one of the 74 poor districts in Vietnam.
Na Hang district is divided into 1 town and 11 communes: Sinh Long, Thuong Giap, Thuong Nong, Con Lon, Yen Hoa, Hong Thai, Da Vi, Khau Tinh, Son Phu, Nang Kha, and Thanh Tuong. This is the home of a multi-ethnic community, with the Tày people being the majority (57.52%), followed by Dao (23.38%), Kinh (9.72%), H’Mông (5.31%), and other ethnic groups. The harmony of cultures creates a unique identity for Na Hang.
With a foundation of ethnic culture, STEM activities need to be integrated with indigenous culture, creating a cultural bridge between generations and between Vietnam and the world.
Ms. Hong Quyen guided the students to explore symmetry in ethnic patterns and from this symmetrical nature, creatively construct different patterns.
The students have been very creative in designing numerous patterns and crafting patterned walls.
The intersection of traditional costume cultural points and the Sierpinski Triangle fractal geometry.
The geometric shapes on the traditional costumes of ethnic minorities not only exhibit symmetry but also fractal geometry. Even though these patterns, commonly embroidered, sewn, or drawn by mothers and grandmothers on everyday traditional garments, are now being explored from a mathematical perspective, which surprises and delights many students. They discover that their mothers and grandmothers have created beautiful mathematics right within their own families.
The students have crafted numerous patterns based on the Sierpinski fractal and constructed giant Sierpinski triangles.
Hình phân dạng Sierpinski trên trang phục truyền thống
The message about the role of women and girls in STEM activities in rural highland areas
STEM education plays an incredibly important role in promoting socio-economic development, particularly in rural highland areas. However, the participation of women and girls in this field still faces many limitations. Therefore, raising awareness about the importance of STEM and encouraging their participation is extremely necessary.
The support of local leaders, experts, and the media agencies
The workshop program received the attention of local leaders, STEM experts Do Hoang Son, Nguyen Thanh Chung, and journalist Hai Yen from the Dai Bieu Nhan Dan newspaper.
Speaking at the seminar, Comrade To Viet Hiep – Chairman of Na Hang district, emphasized that developing STEM education regardless of gender or region is essential for sustainable education and economic development.
STEM expert Do Hoang Son shared on his personal Facebook page:
“NA HANG 22
I believe those who appreciate the beauties of mathematics in teaching and researching math will acknowledge that the STEM workshop in NA HANG, Tuyen Quang province (NA HANG 22 because 22 is Tuyen Quang’s license plate number) on November 18 was the PINNACLE because of the beauty of FRACTALS. These triangular shapes themselves demonstrate that the PINNACLE IS STILL THE PINNACLE The pinnacle lies in the application of sophisticated mathematical concepts in 4.0 media communication and computer science, which somehow have been printed on the dresses of highland girls for hundreds of years, even before the concept of FRACTALS (fractal geometry) emerged a few decades ago. Vietnam lagged behind to the point that during the lifetime of Prof. Hoang Tuy, fractals had to be forcefully introduced into the “extra reading” section of the old textbooks. These triangles and fractal shapes were made by the female students of NA HANG 22 in a few minutes and pasted on the wall. Thus, a math knowledge with high practical application but often forgotten was brought out as the highlight of the STEM festival in NA HANG 2023, in the poorest area, which in the Tày language means “FIELDS IN REMOTE AND FARAWAY PLACES TO THE FURTHEST EXTENT.” (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161110169284555&set=a.10150911137084555 )
