Vietnam: Panasonic Vietnam Hosts STEM Contest Award Ceremony
Panasonic Vietnam held the award ceremony for the "Together We Create STEM 2026" contest in Hanoi on May 21. The contest is part of the "Panasonic for Sustainable Schools" program, which aims to nurture the next generation of creative talent capable of addressing social challenges and contributing to a more sustainable society. Many entries were closely linked to STEM initiatives addressing local issues, including agriculture and environmental challenges.
Since 2010, Panasonic Vietnam has inspired children's interest in science through "Risupia," an experiential learning center focused on mathematics and science. While Risupia welcomed a total of approximately 900,000 visitors, the initiative evolved in 2022 from a facility-based model into a more accessible program delivered through schools and online platforms. This shift has enabled the company to expand learning opportunities to a wider range of regions and students across the country.
The contest is implemented in collaboration with the Institute for School Design under the Ministry of Education and Training and the Center for Education and Development. This partnership represents a unique model that brings together industry, government, and educational experts. By combining on-the-ground educational knowledge with corporate resources, the program promotes practical and sustainable STEM education.
Now in its third year, the contest attracted approximately 4,000 submissions from more than 12,000 students from around 1,800 schools across 27 provinces and cities--more than five times the number received in the previous year--demonstrating its rapidly expanding reach. Under the theme of "Sustainable Energy," students worked in teams to tackle familiar, challenges in their homes and communities, developing and prototyping solutions through experimentation and iterative learning. Some projects incorporated AI technologies, highlighting how STEM learning is increasingly connected to real-world innovation.
In addition, approximately 5,000 teachers participated in online training programs designed to support the adoption of experiential and inquiry-based STEM education. Following the training, these teachers implemented the STEM lessons with more than 10,400 students across Vietnam, extending the program's impact to classrooms nationwide.
During the event, outstanding projects were showcased, and students shared their learning journeys--from challenges faced to solutions achieved--reflecting the depth of their engagement.
<Junior High - 1st Place> Solar-powered irrigation system (agriculture)
<Elementary - 3rd Place> Renewable energy city (waterwheel & smart house)
To date, the program has provided STEM learning opportunities to more than 100,000 students. Building on this momentum, Panasonic Vietnam will continue to expand its initiatives, fostering creativity in the next generation and contributing to the realization of a more sustainable society.
