This initiative aligns with the province’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education efforts and provides a valuable platform for students to showcase their innovative projects.

The competition’s primary objective is to promote innovative teaching methods, nurture students’ talents, and meet the requirements of the new general education program for the 2024-2025 academic year. This year’s participating projects received high praise from the judging panel, demonstrating exceptional scientific, creative, and practical value. Notably, the “Drowning detection and warning system using AI” project, developed by Phan Đình Giót High School students, won first prize in the provincial science and technology competition for high school students.

Tạ Hải Lâm, an 11th-grade student at Phan Đình Giót High School, shared his team’s motivations behind developing the “Drowning detection and warning system using AI” project. “Drowning is a pressing concern in our community, particularly among children. Lack of knowledge and safety skills during activities near water, combined with limited education on drowning prevention, poses significant risks. Our project aims to address these issues”.

The team’s innovative system utilizes AI technology to detect potential drowning situations, sending emergency reports to supervisors and rescue teams. The project features a user-friendly interface built using Python Flask and integrates with Telegram, enabling real-time monitoring and instant alerts. A notable aspect of the project is its comprehensive surveillance capability, ensuring accurate and early detection of hazardous behaviors, such as cramps, suffocation, or unsafe underwater actions. The system provides timely warnings, enhancing rescue efficiency and protecting lives.

The team tested the “Drowning detection and warning system using AI” project at several swimming pools in Điện Biên Phủ City and achieved positive results. The system accurately identified hazardous situations, including swimmers in distress, with an impressive accuracy rate of 98%. To promote their innovative system, the students plan to utilize social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram), create instructional videos, and offer free trial versions to gather feedback.

Tạ Hải Lâm, a team member, shared his enthusiasm for participating in scientific research and innovation activities, stating: “These experiences allow us to assert ourselves and pursue our dreams in science and technology. This year’s science and technology competition has encouraged participants to invest time, effort, and intellect into developing innovative projects. With guidance from our teachers, my team effectively identified their research objectives and methods, demonstrating the value of mentorship and collaboration in driving scientific innovation.”

In recent years, Lương Thế Vinh High School has been actively promoting a vibrant culture of scientific research and innovation among its students. Teachers have been providing guidance and support, offering timely encouragement to motivate students to pursue their passion for scientific inquiry.

According to Principal Nguyễn Thị Mai Nguyệt, the school’s administration is deeply invested in developing this initiative, particularly in the science and technology competitions organized by the provincial Department of Education and Training. The primary goal is to identify students with creative potential and nurture their innovative spirit. Through annual competitions, students have demonstrated significant improvement in their research skills and creative problem-solving. Notably, students have successfully applied theoretical knowledge, combined with teacher guidance, to delve deeper into various fields, including mechanical engineering, environmental technology, animal science, and social science.

In the 2024-2025 science and technology competition, a team from Lương Thế Vinh High School presented a project titled “Radio wave-based landslide and flash flood warning device”. Their goal was to create a system that could remotely detect landslides and flash floods, minimizing damage and casualties caused by natural disasters. According to their teacher, Trần Đức Thiện, the project was inspired by a devastating flash flood that occurred on July 25, 2024, in Mường Pồn Commune, Điện Biên District, causing significant loss of life and property. Using their classroom knowledge, the students developed a solar-powered device that can detect and warn of landslides and flash floods from a distance.

The competition, which drew 44 participating units and 95 projects across various fields, including social sciences, chemistry, and environmental engineering, aimed to promote innovative thinking and problem-solving skills among students.

As noted by the provincial Department of Education and Training, this competition fosters a creative learning environment, encouraging students to explore new ideas, develop teamwork skills, and cultivate innovative thinking - essential skills for future career development and entrepreneurship.