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Bringing STEM to nearly 1,000 students across the Mekong Delta

date_range2026-04-08

PowHERful – an annual campaign initiated by Saigon Children’s Charity (saigonchildren) since 2023 – returns in 2026 with the theme “Empowering STEM Dreams”, encouraging girls to confidently explore and pursue opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Between March and April 2026, nearly 1,000 lower secondary students across Đồng Nai and the Mekong Delta took part in hands-on STEM activities through the STEM School Tour 2026.

The programme stopped at four locations:

  • Phương Bình Commune, Cần Thơ City
  • Tân Phú Đông Commune, Đồng Tháp Province
  • Đồng Nai Province
  • Tiền Giang Province

At each stop, the STEM Day created a lively learning environment where students could explore, collaborate, and take part in a range of practical activities. These included logic-based challenges, hands-on group work to build and present STEM models (such as wind turbines, hand-held egg beaters, waste-collecting machines, egg incubators, and automatic bins), STEM knowledge quizzes, and exchanges with university students and professionals in STEM fields.

Through these experiences, STEM was no longer seen as abstract or difficult, but as a practical and engaging way for students to explore, solve problems, and better understand the world around them.

Making STEM more accessible through peer-led learning

A key highlight of the School Tour was the involvement of 50 female scholarship recipients of saigonchildren, who supported and guided students throughout the activities.

Following an earlier training phase, these young women took on mentoring roles, facilitating hands-on practice, sharing knowledge, and encouraging curiosity among younger students. Their relatability in both age and approach helped make STEM more accessible, understandable, and inspiring.

This peer-led model not only supported lower secondary students in their learning, but also provided the university students with valuable opportunities to develop essential skills such as communication, confidence, and leadership.

A collaborative effort for greater impact

PowHERful 2026 is supported by MiTek, a company specialising in construction technology and sustainable engineering solutions. In addition to providing financial support, 20 MiTek employees participated as volunteers and mentors, accompanying students throughout the programme.

Their involvement brought valuable industry perspectives into the activities, while also demonstrating the impact of collaboration between non-profit organisations and the private sector in advancing gender equality in education.

Looking ahead: from School Tours to STEM Summit

While the STEM School Tour has now concluded, it marks the beginning of the next phase of the journey.

Outstanding student creations from each stop will be selected and showcased at the upcoming STEM Summit, expected to take place in June 2026 in Hồ Chí Minh City. The event will also provide a platform for sharing stories and fostering deeper discussions around opportunities for women in STEM.

Through PowHERful 2026, saigonchildren continues to reaffirm its long-term commitment to supporting Vietnamese girls, not only by inspiring them, but also by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to shape their futures.

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