Teaching Robotics for K-12 Students as Compulsory Subject in Vietnam

The emphasis on teaching STEM, AI and Robotics has been included in Vietnam's national technology development strategy and assigned to the Ministry of Education and Training for implementation. However, there hasn't been a specific curriculum for this in general education. Only a few high schools have implemented it as an elective or extracurricular activity through STEM or Robotics courses. In this article, we introduce a Robotics teaching program implemented directly for K-12 students across the FPT education (FE) institutions, encompassing 10 school locations in 8 provinces, with 13,000 students and 1,000 teachers. In the initial phase, the program was taught to over 4,000 students in the first semester of each educational stage: grades 6, 7, 10, and 11, with two teaching periods per week. Through this course, students realize their central role, fostering skills in teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving, and, naturally, the application of STEM knowledge. The results of implementing the Robotics program were assessed through surveys and interviews with students, teachers, and administrative staff. The outcomes indicate that students are enthusiastic and motivated to learn about STEM; teachers can enhance their knowledge, accumulate experience, and become more confident in teaching. Based on the transformations observed in students and teachers, the managers highly regard the success of the program. Students have succeeded in competitions at regional and international levels. Furthermore, the communication impact of teaching, learning, and competing in Robotics has increased the societal interest in the school. We continue to refine the current program, develop courses for the remaining K −12 levels, and expand it across all FE institutions in the process of reaching all provinces in Vietnam.