STORY FROM THE FIELD - Creation in classroom: a beacon of innovations in Cambodia’s northeast

Khorn Reachny, a senior student at Andong Meas High School, is explaining her project on a motor that can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to her group and other classmates for the STEM class. © 2024 Roun Ry / CARE Cambodia

By Nasa Dip, Senior Media and Communications Officer. October 10, 2024

A pair of small hands put two strings of wire together and a spark of light bursts intensely, followed by groups of 12 “A” graders cheering over the experience.

A senior high school Reachny held an electromagnetic coil connects to black battery in her left hand as she explains classmates of her electrical conduction exhibition.

From physical textbooks to project exhibition, the students of Andoung Meas High School in Ratanak Kiri have their potentials showcase in various experiments from STEM to agriculture. As the 12 “A” students cheered over their physical experiment in class, their schoolmates gathered outdoors around homemade fishpond where they learnt aquaculture.

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum has been prioritized as the key component for Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. As the 21^st century learning encouraged new initiatives from educators and learners alike, project-based assignments have become tools of modern learning for the new generation of educators to equip their students with skills such as digital use and research.

Reachny and Siev Ley were a pair behind their project exhibition.

With their interest respectively in biology and medical field, the pairs are both active and outspoken in engaging other classmates. Reachny has always been curious about combining biology with other science subjects. “I am interest in using biology along with other scientific major, potentially in medical field or as an educator of the field.”

CARE’s two-year project on Building Critical Thinking in Emerging Leaders, has built a cohort of educators who received traineeship, technical support and learning of critical thinking and the 21^st century learning. This led to the application of new teaching methodology at schools in the Northeast part of Cambodia, like Andoung Meas.

Reachny and Seav Lei explained about the assignment from their teachers which reflects this creative way of learning. “Our teachers now have students conduct research on their assignments using internet tools then discuss what they find .” Reachny said.

Learning materials on such subjects are handed to students before classes, followed by discussions in lessons.

Khorn Reachny, a senior student at Andong Meas High School, is presenting her project on a motor that can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to her classmates for the STEM class. © 2024 Roun Ry / CARE Cambodia

Through these innovative methods of learning, the 12 graders are equipped with what would be essential for their upcoming undergraduate journey. Beside the research skills. Seav Lei added that she has also learned to use social media to explore available topics related to her medical interest.

The development of the 21^st century skills for educators’ impact from the improvement in teaching methodology to students’ critical thinking, researching and creativitites where their knowledge is being practiced. Andoung Meas’s students are the reflection of educator’s strong critical thinking skills.

From learning materials to handmade projects, the shift in teaching method with an increased focus on critical thinking and practical skills application contribute to the development of inclusive education.

This story is a part of CARE’s FROM THE FIELD STORY featured education projects in Ratanak Kiri province along series of photos.

Building Critical Thinking In Emerging Leaders

Building critical thinking skills among education emerging leaders is an important aspect of improving education systems in Cambodia.

STORY FROM THE FIELD - Creation in classroom: a beacon of innovations in Cambodia’s northeast

A pair of small hands put two strings of wire together and a spark of light bursts intensely, followed by groups of 12 “A” graders cheering over the experience.

Building Critical Thinking In Emerging Leaders

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