Igniting creativity

Previously, the library at the Provincial Ethnic Boarding School was a familiar stop for students after class or during break times, but it was limited by cramped space and basic educational equipment that didn’t meet the growing learning needs of students. However, since May 2025, the library has undergone a transformation with the introduction of the STEAM Hub model - an integrated space for modern technology and hands-on activities focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). This new model offers students a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Phạm Thị Thu, the library’s manager, explained: “With the support of the Department of Education and Training and STEAM for Vietnam, the library has been designed with an open, accessible, and practical approach. The reading area, STEM creative corner, group study spaces, and programming labs are thoughtfully arranged. The library is fully equipped with projectors, interactive screens, tablets, and Wifi access, ensuring students have a flexible and diverse learning environment.”

Since the opening of the STEAM Hub, the library has been filled with the energy of active learning. Students eagerly explore knowledge in various fields. The friendly space also stimulates creativity, making students feel comfortable during each lesson and activity. Group activities, hands-on experiments in STEM, and programming tasks create a dynamic environment that enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The library has become an ideal destination for sparking learning inspiration.

Lò Nhật Dũng, a Grade 12 student, shared: “The STEAM Hub library is truly an ideal space for us to explore and experience knowledge in a lively way, which is completely different from traditional textbook learning. With modern equipment like interactive screens and STEM kits, I understand the lessons better and enjoy participating in group activities. I feel more confident as I can practice and create, which was difficult to do in the traditional learning environment before.”

Changing mindsets, developing abilities

The smart library model is not just about infrastructure; it represents a significant shift in education, moving from merely transmitting knowledge to fostering students' abilities; from one-way teaching to encouraging students to actively absorb information. For ethnic minority students, this model is even more significant as it helps bridge the digital gap, expands access to modern technology, and prepares them for the digital transformation in education.

Currently, the STEAM Hub Library is operating smoothly with the collaboration of professional departments, subject teachers, and library staff, optimizing the use of space and equipment. The school is also actively incorporating STEAM activities into subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Informatics, creating a connection between theory and practice. Here, students directly engage in experiments, assemble circuits, program robots, design biological models, or solve math problems through creative games. Through these activities, students develop scientific thinking, presentation skills, and teamwork.

Vũ Trung Hoàn, the school’s principal, stated: “The STEAM Hub Technology Library is a new approach in reforming teaching methods, focusing on developing students' abilities. We hope this space will not only provide access to modern knowledge but also help students develop soft skills and nurture a lifelong learning mindset. For ethnic minority students, this innovation is particularly meaningful as it boosts their confidence to integrate and face future challenges.”

Since its opening, hundreds of students have visited the STEAM Hub Library daily. Many classes have organized experiential lessons and interactive sessions with engaging content and visual learning materials, enhancing students’ knowledge retention. The role of teachers has shifted from being mere transmitters of knowledge to guiding students through their learning journeys.

Not only does the STEAM Hub enhance the quality of education, but it also sparks a passion for research and uncovers students' potential. Particularly for many ethnic minority students, this is their first exposure to modern technological devices, and they are guided to use and apply them in their studies. From being shy and lacking confidence, many students have become proactive in learning, passionate about creativity, and actively participating in themed activities.

“The thing that makes me happiest is that students now learn not just to know, but to do and create. When they apply theory into practice, they understand it much more deeply. This method also helps teachers identify each student’s abilities so we can offer tailored support,” emphasized Hoàn.

The modern, dynamic, and student-friendly space of the library is a testament to the right direction in the global trend of digital transformation in education. With the STEAM Hub Technology Library at Điện Biên provincial Ethnic Boarding School, it’s no longer just a place to read books, but a dynamic classroom where knowledge connects with life. Moreover, it’s a gateway to transforming educational mindsets, awareness, and the future development of digital citizens maturing each day in Điện Biên.