SEAMEO STEM-ED alongside esteemed education partners, celebrated student-led STEM innovation and teaching practices with open classes during the award ceremony for the first China-ASEAN STEM Innovation and Practice Student Video Competition. Held on 26 October 2026 at Chongqing Bashu Primary School, Lvdong Hall, in Chongqing, China, the event marked a major milestone for the China-ASEAN STEM Teacher Professional Capacity Building Initiative.

The initiative is jointly organised by SEAMEO STEM-ED, UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (UNESCO INRULED), Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and Chongqing Bashu Primary School Education Group. The competition invited primary and junior secondary school students across China and ASEAN to showcase their STEM projects through three-minute video demonstrating how they identify, analyse and address real-world problems.

Celebrating Student Innovation Through STEM

The event opened with a welcoming student performance, followed by remarks from Madam Ma Hong, Party Secretary of Chongqing Bashu Primary School and General Principal of Bashu Group, alongside addresses from Prof Zhou Zuoyu, Director of UNESCO INRULED and other key dignitaries.  During the ceremony, Dr Kessara Amornvuthivorn, Centre Director of SEAMEO STEM-ED, delivered an address and announced the competition awards. She highlighted the pivotal role of project-based learning in fostering curiosity, perseverance, creativity, and problem-solving skills, emphasising that creating learning environments where students can think critically, articulate ideas, connect concepts, and reflect on evidence is essential for preparing young learners for future challenges.

Following the announcement, representatives from recognised teams presented their projects, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in applying classroom learning to practical, real-world contexts.

The recognised projects included:

• Project TINDIG: A Low-Cost Posture Correction System Using MediaPipe Pose Estimation and Wireless Haptic Wearables for Classroom Use by Rosario National High School, Philippines.
• Ecobloom: Biodegradable Cat Litter from Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Waste to Support Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Growth by SMP Negeri 1 Sungai Pinyuh (Junior High School), Indonesia.
• Biomimetic Mosquito Trap by Thasalaprasitsuksa School, Thailand.
• Smart Desktop Manager by Xi'an High-tech Zone No.50 Primary School, China
• Embodied Intelligent Warehouse Robot by Chongqing Bashu Primary School, China
• Stability of Triangles - The Secret Behind the Stability of Air Raid Shelter Models by Chongqing Bashu Primary School, China

The ceremony concluded with certificate presentations honouring participating teams and individuals, followed by a commemorative group photo celebrating the students, educators, and partners behind the initiative.

Strengthening China-ASEAN Collaboration in STEM Education

This competition underscores a shared regional commitment to making STEM learning meaningful, practical, and directly relevant to students' lives. By encouraging young learners to investigate authentic problems and communicate innovative solutions, the initiative builds essential competencies while bridging cultures across borders.

The award ceremony also marks the launch of a comprehensive exchange programme featuring student and teacher activities, project showcases, educational visits, and collaborative teaching workshops. These engagements aim to deepen professional exchange and long-term cooperation in STEM education between China and ASEAN member states.

Through strategic regional partnerships and student-centred learning, SEAMEO STEM-ED remains dedicated to empowering educators and learners to explore challenges, share knowledge, and co-create sustainable solutions for the future.

Photo Credit: Chongqing Bashu Primary School