In today’s world, it is essential for schools to teach students not only academic skills but also other competencies required in an increasingly diverse job market. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is a learning approach that integrates these four subjects to provide a comprehensive and practical education.
Sekolah Victory Plus Bekasi, an innovative international school in Indonesia, held a STEM Fair for its seventh and tenth graders. The fair featured a hands-on activity where students learned the science behind building a paper bridge from engineering students at Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ). This allowed students to creatively apply their scientific knowledge in a fun and competitive way.
Bridging Knowledge with Hands-On Learning
The journey to the STEM Fair began with a week of interactive sessions and workshops with engineering students from UNJ. These sessions delved deep into the science of paper bridges, helping students understand how different materials, shapes, and construction techniques influence the strength and stability of structures. In this innovative school environment, students were encouraged to experiment and work collaboratively, applying theoretical knowledge to build their own bridges using only paper.
The project promoted critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork—skills essential for future engineers and innovators. Through trial and error, each group explored the balance of design and material strength, and soon, the creative minds of our students began to craft their own bridge masterpieces for the STEM Fair.
Read more: SDG in Action: Grade 9 Eco-Friendly Visit
The Exciting Awarding Ceremony
As the STEM Fair came to a close, an awarding ceremony was held to test the strength of the paper bridges. This thrilling judging process involved two experts: Ibu Anjani, a lecturer from UNJ, and Pak Irwan, our physics teacher. Each group presented their design, sharing their process and scientific reasoning. The winner of the very first STEM Fair was Group 2, consisting of our ninth grade students.
At the close of the event, Ibu Anjani shared her thoughts on the incredible work produced by our students at this STEM Fair. “I was truly amazed by the masterpieces from our friends here as they presented the concepts my students learn in university,” she remarked. “By seeing this, I am relieved that I don’t need to worry anymore about our future, as we have these wonderful generations.”
Fostering Innovation for the Future
The STEM Fair was a successful and inspiring event, leaving students, teachers, and judges filled with pride and excitement for what the future holds. This event reflects our commitment as an innovative school to ignite a passion for learning that will inspire students to continue pursuing their interests and exploring new possibilities.
Click here to discover how we are shaping the future of education and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.
