National Conference on STEM Education

The STEM Education Research Center at Samtse College of Education hosted a two-day National Conference on STEM Education from October 13 to 14, 2023. The Hon’ble Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) graced the opening of the Conference. The Conference was organized as part of the CL4STEM (Connected Learning for STEM) consortium project, funded by the IDRC (International Development Research Centre) through the GPE KIX. The Conference brought together a diverse group of participants, including STEM educators, policymakers, school leaders, researchers, and representatives from stakeholders such as DHI InnoTech, Women for STEM Bhutan, and the Royal Society for STEM to discuss the transformation of STEM education through collaborative efforts.

The National Conference on STEM Education aimed to achieve the following key objectives:

1) Share the valuable insights and evidence-based practices gained from the CL4STEM initiative implemented in the participating secondary schools in Samtse Dzongkhag;

2) Disseminate the CL4STEM project’s innovative practices and impact on STEM teachers’ professional development and practices;

3) Provide a platform for stakeholders involved in STEM Education to share their experiences and expertise;

4) Facilitate the development of new collaborations and networking among STEM Education stakeholders in STEM-related domains, including research;

5) Share the plan of scaling the CL4STEM project as an innovative approach to teaching of STEM subjects in  secondary schools across the country through a cascade ToT model; and

6) Discuss issues concerning the prevailing state of STEM Education for generating strategies and approaches to advancing quality STEM Education in Bhutan.

The National Conference on STEM Education held at Samtse College of Education provided a crucial platform for stakeholders to come together, fostering the enhancement and transformation of the standard of STEM education in Bhutan. The diverse agenda, insightful discussions, and networking prospects have laid a promising path for the advancement and enrichment of STEM education, showcasing the nation’s dedication to nurturing a dynamic educational approach that is deeply embedded in local values yet globally competitive for the generations to come.