Getting To Know The STEM Education System For Underprivileged Youth In Indonesia

STEM Education

JAKARTA The IMCD Stem4Youth program was launched by IMCD Indonesia in partnership with the YCAB Foundation. This partnership supports STEM education for underprivileged youth in a six-year program, education support for two years in high school, and four-year scholarships at universities.

The Stem4Youth program will introduce a theoretical and practical approach to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The purpose of this program is to inspire students' passion and love to become scientists and engineers of the future.

In addition to students, teachers at YCAB will also have the opportunity to learn about STEM education, so that they can facilitate STEM programs and train other teachers. At the end of the program, students will feature their projects through competitions and exhibitions.

"We are proud to be able to participate in the Stem4Youth program, which aims to promote inclusive and equitable quality education. It is extraordinary to see the creativity and innovation of students to overcome social or environmental problems around them using STEM education," said Adelia Sia, Managing Director of IMCD Indonesia, at the launch of the IMCD Stem4Youth program in the context of Creativity Day and World Innovation.

Adelia added, as global market leaders in marketing, selling, and distribution of chemicals and special ingredients, IMCD Indonesia is committed to increasing access to quality education for underprivileged children and women and actively promoting STEM education in Indonesia. The United Nations designated April 21 as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development.

The concept starts from artistic expressions to problem solving in the context of economic, social and sustainable development. In the context of World Creativity and Innovation Day, students at YCAB are encouraged to apply STEM key skills in solving social or environmental problems around them. Some are related to problem solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork, and others.

In today's digital and technological eras, STEM education is important for students in facing opportunities and challenges related to technology in the future. The Stem4Youth program with IMCD has a direct impact in preparing students to become innovative, critical, skilled, and increasingly confident in developing their potential. YCAB hopes that with the good quality of STEM education, the younger generation can be more resilient in facing opportunities and challenges in today's digital and technological eras. Thank you IMCD for contributing to increasing the role of the younger generation in advancing the nation," said Veronica Colondam, Founder and CEO of YCAB.

Students at YCAB's learning home were divided into six groups during competitions and exhibitions to create STEM projects. The projects displayed are very diverse, ranging from aromatherapy candles from crude oil to organic pesticides made from bintaro fruit and mangrove plants from tropical areas in Asia, Australia, Madagascar, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

"Hopefully this STEM activity can encourage students to produce extraordinary innovations and can be applied in the real world," concluded Adelia.