Chevron Enjoy Science project, a collaboration between Chevron Thailand and the SEAMEO STEM-ED, now in its second phase, has been running for the past eight years, aiming to foster innovation and democratise STEM education, catering not only to science majors. The initiative encompasses and connects STEM learning both inside and outside the classroom, in collaboration with leading national and international educational organisations. It strives to equip youth efficiently for the challenges of the 21st century, ensuring no one is left behind.
Dr. Kritsachai Somsaman, Director of the SEAMEO STEM-ED, stated, “This project, a collaboration between SEAMEO STEM-ED and Chevron Thailand, emerged from the fundamental question of ‘How can we make STEM education accessible to everyone?’ It not only targets students but also engages all sectors, fostering progress from learners to educators to policymakers, ultimately leading to tangible and evidence-based results, tailored to Thailand’s learning environment.”
Over the past eight years, the project has involved 724 educational institutions, benefiting over three million people through cooperation with 152 network partners. It has reached more than 163,635 individuals, educating them about STEM.
A sub-project, the "STEM Professional Academy," aims to enhance the skills of educational personnel, creating model STEM teachers and establishing professional learning communities (PLCs) to extend positive outcomes to students. Asst. Prof. Dr. Amonwan Weerathammo, Secretary-General of the Teachers Council, noted, “Teachers play a vital role in fostering a conducive learning environment. Currently, the project has bolstered the teaching and learning capacities of over 5,000 teachers, with more than 96% of them effectively using questioning strategies in the classroom, empowering children to express themselves and engage in deeper discussions—a new norm in education. PLCs have become an integral part of the curriculum, fostering adaptability and open-mindedness among teachers.”
Another sub-project, the "STEM Career Academies," focuses on developing practical STEM career skills through 14 training courses, resulting in 33% of participants receiving job offers, while 67% continued their studies in their respective fields of interest.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin Raviwong, President of National Science Museum, emphasised the importance of promoting STEM skills for all student groups, including non-STEM students, to enable their integration into diverse career fields. The "STEM Career Academies" sub-project serves as a pivotal model for cultivating skills that enhance competitiveness regionally.
Apart from teacher and student training, the project emphasises the development of educational "media" as a tool to make STEM learning engaging and to elevate it to the next level. The "Picture Books" sub-project uses visual storytelling to foster critical thinking and meaningful reading among elementary school students.
Dr. Rungrong Sommitr, head of the research project at the Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, explained, “Many Thai children can read but struggle to comprehend or interpret underlying themes. Picture books serve as a tool to nurture critical thinking and provide a safe space for open-ended questions. This helps children read with joy, find meaning, and establishes a crucial foundation for their daily lives and other subjects.”
As a global energy company that values the "the power of Human Energy," Chevron measures success in terms of building a workforce rich in STEM skills, looking beyond numerical metrics.
Mr. Pativate Boonyapaluk, Vice President of Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd., concluded, “Encouraging students to develop STEM education skills from a young age is considered one of the key strategies that will help create an innovative society and generate new technologies to address environmental problems that the world is facing. This aligns with the mission of Chevron, which aims to develop safe, reliable and ever-cleaner energy development. Today marks another significant milestone, showcasing the collective success of the government, private sector, and educational agencies across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The results of the eight-year works by Chevron and our partners in the Chevron Enjoy Science project are serve as a vital model and policy for the future of STEM education.”
For more information, visit www.chevronenjoyscience.com/th.
