Category: A Year of Robotics

(Click here for the Vietnamese press release.)

Hanoi, Vietnam, January 21, 2024 – The 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship, co-organized by the National Innovation Center (under the Ministry of Planning and Investment), the American Center (under the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam), Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and STEAM for Vietnam, concluded successfully after two consecutive days of competition on January 20-21, 2024 at the National Innovation Center (Hoa Lac campus).

The 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship attracted over 3,000 visitors at the official venue and nearly 12,000 views on the online platform. In addition, the tournament gathered over 248 robotics teams from 194 schools in 31 provinces and cities across the country, with the participation of over 1,300 students from elementary to high school level. The teams competed in two categories: VIQRC for elementary and middle school students (under 15 years old) and VRC for middle school and high school students (under 19 years old). With 2,208 matches for the VIQRC category and 281 matches for the VRC category, the championship witnessed intense competitions of talented contestants. At the end of the tournament, 7 teams from the three elementary, middle school and high school tables won the tickets to participate in VEX Robotics World Championship 2024 in Texas, USA. This is a proud achievement of Vietnamese contestants, as well as a testament to the development of the STEM movement in Vietnam.

With the mission of bringing world-class STEAM education to Vietnamese students completely free of charge, STEAM for Vietnam along with partners have brought an international standard playground of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (REC), with hundreds of hours of professional training and thorough preparation in accordance with the regulations of the VEX Robotics World Championship. The competition has created an opportunity for students in Vietnam, regardless of their circumstances, to learn and practice competing on modern, world-class Robotics components, aiming to compete in global Robotics competitions.

The list of award-winning teams at the 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship is as follows: 

Excellence Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 64165M – DD_AQUARIUS

Middle School Division: Team 15167A – SWITCH

VRC Category

Middle School Division: No team is qualified

High School Division: Team 36070M -​​ 11

Teamwork Champion Award 

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 13863J – TNS Resilience and Team 79813J – Brave

Middle School Division: Team 64165G – XÓM NHÀ LÁ  and Team 15167A – SWITCH

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070M – 11 and Team 36070X –  FPTCanTho_Enterprise

Robot Skills Champion Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team  64165M – DD_AQUARIUS

Middle School Division: Team 64165G – XÓM NHÀ LÁ

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070D (WASS PLUS)

Design Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 12184Z – Doraemonster

Middle School Division: Team 20224H – DGS-TNS INNOVATION

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070E – Penn Mì gói

Innovate Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 12184R – ITS Academy Robot Team

Middle School Division: Team 25812M – GreenAms Robotics

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070T – VICTORY

Think Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 37922V – EDS-VEX DREAM

Middle School Division: Team 64165H – DD SWEET DREAM

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070Z – GreenArms Robotic Team 2

Amaze Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 37922Z – EDS_ Sandwich

Middle School Division: Team 64165S – EDS – AE Nhà khỉ

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070J – LSTS FATE

Build Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 12184E – FschoolCG San Hô Trắng

Middle School Division: Team 52767A – AANO

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 36070B – WASS Thorium Energy

Create Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 37922C – VIỆT NAM MÃI ĐỈNH

Middle School Division: Team 64165V – EDS_SVT84 

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 66519Z – V-Chillers

Judges Award

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division: Team 13863J – TNS Resilience

Middle School Division: Team 64165U – EDS_BraveBees (BB)

VRC Category

High School Division: Team 1599V – Vietnamese Banana Farmers

Fulbright Scholarship for Young Innovator Award

Team 36070M – 11

Team 36070E – Penn Mì gói

Social Media Award

VIQRC

Team 79813U – BIGBANG

Team 13863H – TRÁI CÂY

VRC

Team 36070R – CVA STEAM Crew

Based on the results at the 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship, the Organizing Committee announces the list of 7 qualified Vietnamese teams to participate in the VIQRC and VRC categories at the VEX Robotics World Championship 2024, as follows: 

VIQRC Category

Elementary School Division:

1. Team 64165M – DD_AQUARIUS
2. Team 13863J – TNS Resilience
3. Team 79813J – Brave

Middle School Division: 

1. Team 15167A – SWITCH
2. Team 64165G – XÓM NHÀ LÁ
3. Team 20224H – DGS-TNS INNOVATION
4. Team 64165S – EDS – AE Nhà khỉ
5. Team 25812M – GreenAms Robotics Team

VRC Category

High School Division:

1. Team 36070M – 11

Following the 2024 VEX Robotics National Championship, STEAM for Vietnam, in collaboration with the U.S. Center (under the Embassy and Consulate of the United States in Vietnam) and Hanoi University of Science and Technology, will continue to accompany the qualified teams to participate in the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship in three areas: enhancing specialized Robotics skills, providing knowledge of American culture, and mobilizing social resources to support participating teams.

In this regard, the Organizing Committee will collaborate with experienced international coaches and teams that have competed and achieved prizes at the VEX World competition to facilitate exchange sessions, skills training, and the sharing of research and competition experiences with Vietnamese teams. Additionally, effective communication skills, behavior, and familiarity with American culture – the host country of the VEX Robotics World Championship 2024 – also play a significant role in contributing to the success of the trip. Therefore, STEAM for Vietnam, in conjunction with the U.S. Center (under the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam), will organize workshops focusing on training, cultural orientation, and equipping teams with essential interpersonal skills before they embark on the competition journey.
Images and videos showcasing the activities of the championship will be continuously updated here.

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About STEAM for Vietnam Foundation

STEAM for Vietnam Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the United States with the mission of promoting activities related to STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in Vietnam. The foundation was established by former Vietnamese students who studied in the United States and is operated by a network of volunteers, including Vietnamese experts and members of the Innovation Network of Vietnam worldwide. The objective of the organization is to contribute to the development of the younger generation in Vietnam by sharing knowledge about STEAM education. STEAM for Vietnam also collaborates closely with leading global organizations such as UNICEF and Scratch Foundation to bring internationally recognized STEAM education programs to Vietnamese students entirely free of charge. 

About the National Innovation Center

The National Innovation Center of Vietnam is an entity under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. As the first National Innovation Center built according to widely recognized international standards in Vietnam, the center operates on the principle of ensuring the effectiveness of its role as a pioneering institution. It serves as a crucial link in the network of innovation centers, contributing to the development of a cohesive and efficient entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Embracing a spirit of readiness to face new challenges, explore, experiment, apply, and develop, the National Innovation Center aims to lead in shaping a synchronized and effective ecosystem for entrepreneurial innovation. 

About the American Center in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

The American Center in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are part of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, serving as public spaces to facilitate personal and online connections with the United States. We provide access to information about the U.S., English language learning resources, guidance on U.S. education, information on cutting-edge technologies, exchange programs, and a diverse range of events in a safe and friendly environment. Library services and cultural education programs at the American Center are entirely free for the public. We welcome visits from government officials, scholars, students, and other groups interested in information about the United States.

About Hanoi University of Science and Technology

Since its establishment in 1956, Hanoi University of Science and Technology has consistently maintained its position as Vietnam’s leading technical university. In the context of international integration, the university has continuously enhanced its reputation for the quality of education and scientific research capabilities. It strives towards comprehensive autonomy, aiming to become a multidisciplinary research and innovation university with a core focus on engineering and technology, holding a high standing regionally and globally. Hanoi University of Science and Technology adheres to the tradition of selecting the most outstanding students with a passion for science and technology. It collaborates with over 200 universities, research centers, and educational organizations in 32 countries. 

About the VEX Robotics World Championship

The VEX Robotics World Championship is an annual international robotics competition held in the United States. Recognized as the largest robotics competition in the world by the Guinness World Records in 2018, the event is organized by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. The REC Foundation is a non-profit organization with projects focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and sustainability. Each year, the championship attracts over 100,000 participants from around the globe.

Press Contact:

Ms. Hang Nguyen

Project Manager, STEAM for Vietnam

Email: partnership@steamforvietnam.org 

📧Email: robotics_tournament@steamforvietnam.org

🌐Website: https://www.steamforvietnam.org/national-robotics-tournament

📺YouTube: STEAM for Vietnam 

(Click here for the Vietnamese press release.)

Ha Noi, January 20-21, 2024 – Amid the robust development of science and technology, coupled with the transformation of the globalization process, proactive and creative thinking has become an essential skill to meet the demands of modern life. In order to equip students with the necessary skills to align with the trends of the 4.0 Revolution, in recent years, advanced STEAM education methods have been continuously updated and applied to education programs worldwide and in Vietnam. The focal point of this approach is STEAM Robotics. Similar to STEAM, STEAM Robotics is built upon real-world-related themes, simulated through educational robots and programming tools. Numerous global studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of STEAM Robotics education in particular, and STEAM education in general, in enhancing individual capabilities, personality development, and the acquisition of new learning skills in children. Additionally, it aids in fostering teamwork, information exchange, and logical reasoning abilities.

Seizing that potential, the National Innovation Center (under the Ministry of Planning and Investment), the American Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (under the Embassy and Consulate of the United States in Vietnam), and Hanoi University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with STEAM for Vietnam, co-host the Vietnam VEX Robotics National Championship 2024. Building on the success of 2023, the 2024 competition aims to provide modern, internationally recognized Robotics education to Vietnamese students entirely free of charge. It also aims to further enhance students’ important skills, preparing them to compete effectively in the global market in the future.

The VEX Robotics National Championship 2024 is a platform open to all robotics enthusiasts nationwide, without barriers based on gender, ethnicity, or geography. Organized in compliance with REC Foundation standards, the competition aims to select around 10 qualified Vietnamese teams to compete at the world’s largest Robotics competition – the VEX Robotics World Championship 2024. The championship has attracted participation from 250 teams, comprising nearly 1,400 students. Among them, 220 teams are competing in the VIQRC category (using VEX IQ robots for elementary and middle school students under 15 years old), and 30 teams are participating in the VRC category (using VEX V5 robots for high school students under 19 years old). These teams represent over 194 schools and 31 provinces and cities across the country. Teams will engage in a total of 2,208 matches for the VEX IQ category and 281 matches for the VEX V5 category through challenges such as the Teamwork Challenge, Driving Skills Challenge, and Programming Skills Challenge. Approximately 2,0000 guests are expected to attend the matches at NIC Hoa Lac, with an additional 20,000+ viewers following the livestream on various online platforms. In addition to the competitive aspect, teams will also participate in various sideline activities, including visits to the newly inaugurated National Innovation Center headquarters, tours of FPT University, and experiential booths. Through this competition, students from all regions of Vietnam will have the opportunity to learn and engage in challenges similar to those in developed countries, promoting STEAM education in schools. To facilitate the evaluation of a large number of matches and select winners and representatives for Vietnam to compete at the VEX Worlds, the judging panel consists of 33 judges who are experts in robotics and STEAM education from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, University of Technology, Fulbright University, and more.

Sharing about this year’s championship, Ms. Mary Beth Polley – U.S. Embassy Country Public Affairs Officer stated: “This type of hands-on program is invaluable to encouraging Vietnamese students to develop the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.  The U.S. Mission is thrilled to partner with MPI and HUST on this program, which reflects the strong Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries and a shared commitment to economic prosperity for both countries.”

Dr. Tran Viet Hung, Co-founder of STEAM for Vietnam, also shared, “We are delighted that now students from various regions of Vietnam have the opportunity to learn and participate in challenges no different from students in developed countries like the United States. We hope that through experiences like this competition, students will gradually acquire the skills and expertise to compete in the global labor market in the future.”

The VEX Robotics National Championship 2024 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, January 20-21, 2024, at the National Innovation Center, Hoa Lac campus. Admission to the competition is free. Learn more about the championship on the website https://www.steamforvietnam.org/national-robotics-tournament or follow updates on the Fanpage Vietnam VEX IQ National Championship 2024.

Images and videos showcasing the activities of the championship will be continuously updated here.

About STEAM for Vietnam Foundation

STEAM for Vietnam Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the United States with the mission of promoting activities related to STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in Vietnam. The foundation was established by former Vietnamese students who studied in the United States and is operated by a network of volunteers, including Vietnamese experts and members of the Innovation Network of Vietnam worldwide. The objective of the organization is to contribute to the development of the younger generation in Vietnam by sharing knowledge about STEAM education. STEAM for Vietnam also collaborates closely with leading global organizations such as UNICEF and Scratch Foundation to bring internationally recognized STEAM education programs to Vietnamese students entirely free of charge. 

About the National Innovation Center

The National Innovation Center (NIC) is a unit under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, established by the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1269/QĐ-TTg dated October 2, 2019, with the function of supporting and developing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Vietnam, contributing to the transformation of the growth model based on science and technology. The Center is built with the most advanced models and practices, suitable for the Vietnamese context, with unique, superior mechanisms and policies that are competitive with the region and the world. NIC currently has its headquarters at the Ministry of Planning and Investment (6B Hoàng Diệu, Ba Đình, Hanoi), and two operating facilities: the NIC Hanoi Facility at 7 Tôn Thất Thuyết Alley, Cau Giay, and the NIC Facility at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.

For more information about NIC, please visit the website: https://nic.gov.vn/ 

About the American Center in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

The American Center in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are part of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, serving as public spaces to facilitate personal and online connections with the United States. We provide access to information about the U.S., English language learning resources, guidance on U.S. education, information on cutting-edge technologies, exchange programs, and a diverse range of events in a safe and friendly environment. Library services and cultural education programs at the American Center are entirely free for the public. We welcome visits from government officials, scholars, students, and other groups interested in information about the United States.

About Hanoi University of Science and Technology

Since its establishment in 1956, Hanoi University of Science and Technology has consistently maintained its position as Vietnam’s leading technical university. In the context of international integration, the university has continuously enhanced its reputation for the quality of education and scientific research capabilities. It strives towards comprehensive autonomy, aiming to become a multidisciplinary research and innovation university with a core focus on engineering and technology, holding a high standing regionally and globally. Hanoi University of Science and Technology adheres to the tradition of selecting the most outstanding students with a passion for science and technology. It collaborates with over 200 universities, research centers, and educational organizations in 32 countries. 

About the VEX Robotics World Championship

The VEX Robotics World Championship is an annual international robotics competition held in the United States. Recognized as the largest robotics competition in the world by the Guinness World Records in 2018, the event is organized by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. The REC Foundation is a non-profit organization with projects focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and sustainability. Each year, the championship attracts over 100,000 participants from around the globe.

Press Contact:

Ms. Hang Nguyen

Project Manager, STEAM for Vietnam

Email: partnership@steamforvietnam.org 

📧 Email: robotics_tournament@steamforvietnam.org

🌐 Website: https://www.steamforvietnam.org/national-robotics-tournament

📺 YouTube: STEAM for Vietnam 

Hiểu được tầm quan trọng trong việc xác định đích đến trước khi hành động, STEAM for Vietnam đã tổ chức buổi workshop thứ 02 nằm trong chuỗi hoạt động Robotics Sunday với chủ đề: Thiết lập mục tiêu – Định hướng tương lai. Cùng tìm hiểu một trong những phương pháp xác định mục tiêu đang được sử dụng rất hiệu quả tại Google và các tổ chức uy tín khác trên thế giới qua nội dung của buổi workshop nhé!

Điểm chung lớn nhất giữa công trình nghiên cứu vĩ đại của nhà bác học Albert Einstein và hành trình chinh phục giải đấu vô địch Robotics đó là chúng đều yêu cầu mục tiêu trước khi hành động. Mục tiêu là phương hướng cho mọi kế hoạch, vì vậy, việc xác định mục tiêu phải là bước luôn được ưu tiên thực hiện hàng đầu của mọi công việc. Bởi vì chỉ cần biết được đích đến, sẽ không có khởi đầu nào là quá muộn để đi đến điểm cuối của hành trình.

Các bạn có từng thắc mắc rằng: “Vì sao có những học sinh mặc dù đã xác định được mục tiêu của mình nhưng vẫn chưa có được thành công như mong đợi?” Cùng lấy ví dụ cụ thể, mục tiêu của một bạn học sinh năm 2023 sẽ chinh phục chiếc cúp vô địch giải đấu Robotics cấp Quốc gia, nhưng kế hoạch hành động từng tháng, từng tuần để đạt được mục tiêu lại rất mơ hồ. Bởi vì, việc đoạt lấy chiếc cúp chiến thắng là mục tiêu dài hạn, là điểm đến cuối cùng của bạn học sinh đó và cần nhiều gian để hoàn thành. Muốn đạt được mục tiêu dài hạn, bạn học sinh đó cần phải có những mục tiêu nhỏ khác được phân bổ trong thời gian ngắn để tiến hành. 

Trong buổi workshop, theo như chia sẻ của các diễn giả, có 02 loại mục tiêu chính cần xác định, đó là: Mục tiêu ngắn hạn và mục tiêu dài hạn. Sau khi định hình rõ ràng  được các loại mục tiêu này, đã đến lúc các “bot thủ” nghiên cứu phương pháp triển khai để đạt được kết quả mong đợi.

Phương pháp trọng tâm được chia sẻ trong buổi workshop “Thiết lập mục tiêu – Định hướng tương lai” đó là phương pháp OKR – viết tắt của “Objective” và “Key Results”. Đây là phương pháp đã và đang chứng minh tính hiệu quả cao trong bộ máy vận hành của tập đoàn lớn như Google và các tổ chức khác trên thế giới. Vậy các “bot thủ” cần sử dụng phương pháp OKR như thế nào để tiến xa hơn trên hành trình chinh phục lĩnh vực Robotics của mình? 

Objective – Mục tiêu lớn (tạm dịch)

Với Objective, học sinh cần đưa ra dự định dài hạn (hay còn gọi là “Mục tiêu lớn”), đáp ứng đủ 03 tiêu chí quan trọng. Đầu tiên, mục tiêu đó cần phải truyền cảm hứng đến các “bot thủ” để thúc đẩy các bạn hoàn thành mục tiêu. Thứ hai, đó phải là một mục tiêu thực tế. Nói cách khác, mục tiêu này cần phải nằm trong khả năng thực hiện của bản thân người đề ra. Thứ ba, mục tiêu đó cần phải có các cột mốc thời gian hoàn thành rõ ràng. 

Key Results – Những kết quả cụ thể (tạm dịch)

Key Results (Những kết quả cụ thể) đóng vai trò như những mục tiêu ngắn hạn, giúp các bạn học sinh dần dần hiện thực hóa mục tiêu lớn của mình. Tương tự với đích đến dài hạn, mục tiêu ngắn hạn cần đạt được tối thiểu 03 yếu tố như sau. Thứ nhất, kế hoạch thực hiện mục tiêu đó phải có kết quả được mô tả bằng những con số kèm theo cách thức thực hiện. Ví dụ: Tham gia X hoạt động, hoàn thành Y mô hình, v.v. Thứ hai, nên tránh xác định các kết quả dưới dạng: mục tiêu đi kèm với các động từ. Ví dụ: Nâng cao năng lực ngoại ngữ, biết giao tiếp, v.v. Với cách làm này, không chỉ thể hiện kết quả mơ hồ mà còn không tạo ra động lực giúp các bạn học sinh đạt được mục tiêu. Thứ ba, hãy ưu tiên đưa ra những mục tiêu mà bản thân các bạn học sinh có thể tự đạt được thay vì cần đến sự hỗ trợ từ người khác.

Như vậy, qua buổi workshop Thiết lập mục tiêu – Định hướng tương lai, quý phụ huynh và các bạn học sinh đã được lắng nghe những chia sẻ vô cùng bổ ích về các loại mục tiêu, phương pháp OKR cũng như câu chuyện thực tế từ chính các diễn giả. STEAM for Vietnam hy vọng rằng những kiến thức ấy sẽ được các bạn học sinh ứng dụng trong học tập, rèn luyện cũng như trong hành trình khám phá và chinh phục bộ môn Robotics trong tương lai.

Hãy cùng đón chờ phần tiếp theo của chương trình Mentorship độc quyền dành cho “bot thủ” tham gia Giải vô địch VEX Robotics toàn quốc 2024 và học lớp CS 201, CS 202 trong thời gian tới. 

⭐️ Thông tin về chương trình:

⏰ Thời gian: 09:00 – 10:30 Sáng Chủ nhật hàng tuần

📌 Đăng ký Giải đấu tại đây để tham gia vào những buổi workshop bổ ích tiếp theo: https://bit.ly/nrc24_landing_page 

📌 Tìm hiểu thêm về Giải đấu: https://bit.ly/nrc24-knowledge-hub

📍 Gia nhập cộng đồng VEX Robotics Việt Nam: https://discord.gg/Ag5K3unFrM

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Author: Thuy Quynh Vu

STEAM for Vietnam Foundation là tổ chức phi lợi nhuận 501(c)(3) được thành lập tại Hoa Kỳ với sứ mệnh thúc đẩy các hoạt động liên quan tới giáo dục STEAM (Science — Khoa học, Technology — Công nghệ, Engineering — Kỹ thuật, Arts — Nghệ thuật, Mathematics — Toán học) tại Việt nam. STEAM for Vietnam được thành lập và vận hành bởi đội ngũ tình nguyện viên là du học sinh và chuyên gia người Việt trên khắp thế giới.

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📧Email: hello@steamforvietnam.org

🌐Website: www.steamforvietnam.org

🌐Fanpage: STEAM for Vietnam

📺YouTube:  http://bit.ly/S4V_YT

🌐Zalo: Zalo Official

📍Donation: https://www.steamforvietnam.org/donation