On 30 September 2026, Following the Programme Collaboration session, the 9th Governing Board Meeting concluded with a special visit to NEXTOPIA at Siam Paragon, selected to offer Governing Board Members a practical look at how STEM, innovation and sustainability can come together in real-world settings. The 1.5-hour visit provided an engaging experience of how technology, design and responsible practices can be integrated into everyday spaces to support more sustainable ways of living.
Participants explored a range of innovations, including a kinetic floor that converts footsteps into electricity, rooftop solar energy, upcycled design elements and approaches to waste management within the wider OneSiam ecosystem. The visit also highlighted how sustainability can extend beyond environmental solutions, with responsible practices across participating retail and dining spaces and inclusive initiatives that create opportunities for people with disabilities.
The experience connected closely with the Centre’s growing focus on STEM Learning and Climate Action, demonstrating how scientific knowledge, technology and innovation can be translated into practical responses to environmental and social challenges. It also illustrated how learning can extend beyond the classroom, allowing learners and communities to engage with sustainability through real-world applications and experiences.
For SEAMEO STEM-ED, the visit offered more than an introduction to an innovative destination. It provided a practical example of how different sectors can contribute to a more sustainable future, and how such experiences can inspire new ways of thinking about STEM learning, climate action and community engagement across the region.
The visit brought the second day of the 9th Governing Board Meeting to a meaningful close, connecting the day’s discussions on STEM innovation and collaboration with a shared experience of sustainability in practice.
About NEXTOPIA: https://www.siamparagon.co.th/editors-pick/nextopia-the-prototype-of-the-world-of-tomorrow-152
